2009 Global Press Freedom Day
News Commentary for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
Every May 3rd is observed as World Press Freedom Day. It is a day set aside by UNESCO to celebrate journalism, to reflect while calling the world’s attention to the key issues facing the profession. This year’s celebration is under the theme, “Media, Dialogue, Mutual Understanding and Reconciliation.” This theme stresses the enormous potential of the media in providing a platform to dialogue and foster mutual understanding and reconciliation in society. On the flip side, the theme underscores the other potential of the media – to cause harm through irresponsible practice by dividing society and inflaming passions instead of being the glue that can keep society together.
Not surprisingly, this year’s World Press Freedom Prize is to be awarded posthumously to the Sri Lankan Journalist, Lasantha Wickremantunge, for his notable contributions in the defence of freedom of expression in his war-torn country. Although he paid the ultimate prize with his life in January 2008 for what he believed in, even in death, he stood tall. In an article published three days after he had been gunned down by government forces, he predicted his death while defending the profession of journalism. For him, journalism “is the call of conscience.”
Without a doubt, journalism in Ghana won a great battle in getting out of under the thumbs of various political regimes who granted the media limited freedoms. Then came the 1992 Constitution with enshrined freedoms of expression to the citizenry and of press freedom. The task now is how to grow the media alongside the development of Ghana.
The image of Ghana is that of a beacon of stability in a region characterized by chaos, unrests, wars and senseless bloodshed. Ghana has survived in the midst of failed states. The Ghanaian media is in no doubt, a pace-setter on the African continent. In the 2008 Global Press Freedom Rankings, Ghana placed second after Mauritania in Sub-Saharan Africa and 27th in the world.
Despite the apparent presence of freedom for the media, problems persist. Freedom does not solve all problems. The just-ended General Elections exposed the vulnerabilities of our democracy with an unrestrained vibrant liberal media and a weak regulatory institution. During the heat of the elections that was characterised by irresponsible volatile commentaries, rumours and media wars between FM radio stations with political party allegiances and/or ownerships, the National Media Commission appeared helpless.
In the 100-day Rwanda genocide in 1994, an estimated 800,000 minority Tutsis were massacred by Hutu militia. It was later established that intolerant FM radio stations were the major tool used to ignite and fan the flames for social tension. However, when it mattered the most during our election crisis, Ghana did not appear to have learned the lesson of Rwanda. National cohesion and survival was not paramount.
On the surface, this country appears to have moved on from the election tension. But beneath the surface, ethnic tension, which is sharpened by political party allegiance, is apparent. The media can play an important role in promoting mutual understanding among different ethnic groups and through that, enhance the chances of reconciliation and cohesion, which are fundamental needs for national development.
In present-day Ghana, journalists are not running away for dear life. Together with the rest of the citizenry through a liberal media with its characteristic call-in radio shows, the mass media are wallowing in the hard-earned freedom. Freedom of expression for society and press freedom for the media as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution should provide opportunities for the media to shift focus on pressing developmental issues.
However, the focus of journalism and the citizenry appear to be stuck in politics. Reviewing media content does not suggest that ours is a developing country in which many live on less than one Ghana cedi a day.
Journalism can provide the leadership and focus on urgent developmental issues as a way of advancing not just the democracy of Ghana but its social development. It can do this by relentlessly keeping the searchlight on developmental challenges like poverty, corruption, sanitation, environmental pollution, indiscipline, education, roads, healthcare and inequities in the distribution of development projects.
There is also the need for tolerance and an inclusive coverage of all segments of society and different shades of opinions and values. The media should at this time, shift the focus of reportage from the minority urban, elite and privileged and to throw its powerful searchlight on the poor, disenfranchised, rural, peri-urban and non-literate majority. The best journalism is one that is not driven by agenda that is set by news sources, especially that of the privileged political elite. The media must therefore be bold to pursue and set an agenda that benefits society.
Through FM radio, local language broadcasting is flourishing. It is a new phenomenon in the Ghanaian media landscape. Unfortunately, it is characterized by exaggerations, proverbs and distortions of news through translations and commentaries. The danger in the extremities of local language broadcasting lies in the tendency for embellishment, misinformation and irresponsibility.
Worst of all, Ghana’s media play into the polarization of our society along political party lines. Unfortunately, it is easy to identify some journalists and media houses as either NPP or NDC, an echo of the poisonous polarization of our country on political party lines. This is a situation that can potentially get in the way of basic journalistic standards of objectivity, accuracy, fairness and ethics.
Owing to its power, if practiced inappropriately, the mass media can potentially become a security risk and by that, a threat to our democracy.
Showing posts with label World Press Freedom Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Press Freedom Day. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Dialoguing on Media and Society about Press Freedom
Collectively, the media of mass communication is the mirror image and lifeblood of Ghana, reflecting the nuances of struggles and triumphs. In times when the citizenry did not experience freedoms as a result of oppressive military and quasi-civilian regimes/administrations, journalism was the symbolic representation of our society’s deprivations and sufferings. Even poverty and corruption in national life is reflected in the media.
This year’s celebration of World Press Freedom day, under the theme, “Media, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding” is particularly significant because it is on the 118th day, in the fourth month of the first year in a new political administration. Press freedom cannot be taken for granted. Even when you are so sure that you have it, if you dare blink for so long, you run the risk of losing it in a flash. That is just the way it is – the product of a fundamental human flaw to shut out negativity. Freedom is not for free. Press freedom must therefore be guarded by all; fingers must be on the pulse. Unfortunately, journalists can themselves perpetuate the erosion of press freedom through self-censorship, that insidious internal self-editing and self-killing of thinking that influences the journalistic art of writing and speaking that is informed by the need to be careful, or else……. A Ga proverb articulates this wit as follows, ‘Fio fio ne adedong keyeo gbe tue’ (Literally – Gradually, the house fly munches a dog’s ear.)
As this government settles in for the four-year constitutionally mandated governance, one of the areas widely-open for learning and tweaking is its relationship with the media as the country continues the journey of deepening its democracy on the set path of the 1992 Constitution.
Without a doubt, it is still very early in President Mills’ administration to pin-point any warts on the Emperor’s delicately essential body parts and to articulate anything of substance about the quality and/or direction of the government’s relationship with the media with regard to press freedom. For the time being, the relationship can at best be described as a cat-and-mouse-game of figuring each other out.
The gaming phase is a good place to be, much better than any scare-crow oppression and media silencing. The ‘cat’, representing a typical government of a developing country, naturally prefers a mouse (the media) that is safely consigned to either being out of sight or quietly allowing itself to be munched. But one should be able to hold on to the promise of President Mills to tolerate press freedom without any efforts to silence contrary views during the NDC’s second act. This promise of tolerance of dissenting media naturally extends to political functionaries who might be tempted (for one reason or the other), with unchecked egos, to catch or kill the naughty juicy mouse.
Wole Soyinka put it best: “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” A docile and silent media that merely sings the praises of a ruling government is unproductive and boring. Hear Alice Walker: “No person is your friend who demands your silence or denies your right to grow.” Personal growth emanates from the ability to apply ones mind to thinking.
Silence is death. For a developing country with challenges in just about every sphere of life – poorly equipped hospitals, roads which are death traps, a weak educational system, corruption in public life which has permeated private life, a sanitation monster which we appear unable to manage, among many others – the worst any government can do is to stifle freedom of speech.
All hands, brains as well as the patch-work of perceived ugly annoying critical mouths should be on board to cross-fertilize ideas for national development.
Regardless of the challenges Ghanaians endure as citizens of a developing country, democracy appears to have come to stay, with the accompanying freedoms. Throughout this country’s struggles under-the-thumbs of various governments and dictators, journalism has remained one of the unshakable bastions of Ghana’s arduous journey on the democracy path. When you are crossing a river and you get into the middle, you do not return, especially when you know the desolation you have left behind. Once you have learned something, you cannot unlearn it.
Muffling the media is therefore not an option.
Besides, the Ghanaian population benefits tremendously from freedom of speech within an enhanced environment of a free press. For instance, the liberalization of the airwaves has made the media accessible to Ghanaians from all walks of life who, through another pervasive technological innovation, the mobile phone, continuously call into FM radio stations across the country to express their opinions. It is therefore unlikely that the Ghanaian citizenry will quietly tolerate a withdrawal of freedom of speech and by extension, press freedom.
Internal Media Dialogue:
There are several issues crying for dialoguing within the media. One unfortunate development in the media is what appears to be blocks of NDC and NPP journalists, an echo of the poisonous polarization of our country along political lines. This is a development that can potentially get in the way of basic journalistic standards of objectivity, accuracy, fairness and ethics.
There is an over-emphasis on political journalism to the neglect of development oriented issues. If a visitor from another planet monitors Ghana’s media content, s/he might doubt that this is a developing country where many still live in abject desperate poverty – on less than one cedi a day. But good flesh and blood journalism in any country, by definition, is what that society needs to advance. The media has the vast potential to wage a crusade for the development of Ghana. The slow pace of Ghana’s development requires the kind of media that will be passionate advocates, watchdogs and gatekeepers of society to promote human rights, fight corruption, and relentlessly expose issues that are inimical to development.
Ethics and conflict of interest is an area ripe for internal dialoguing. The media must exercise care about whose interests they serve. Journalism must serve only the public interest. The media must therefore endeavour to stay on high ground and avoid operating in manure piles that have been rained on. In a global era of corporate colonization, there is a danger of compromising the interests of Ghana to foreign nationals and/or corporate greed. Fact: a journalist is NOT a politician or a representative of politicians. A journalist is NOT an advocate of products or spokesperson of profit-making entities.
Of all professions, journalism should remain the conscience of a society and be at arms to protect it from harm through exposing devious actions. Journalism in a developing country cannot therefore afford to be practiced under corrupting influences. Like in the story about the Trojan Horse, ‘Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.’ Journalists should therefore not get cosy with those whose actions they should expose.
As part of Press Freedom Day, the internal dialogue in media institutions should be to take a hard look at the matter or poor remuneration of staff. When senior editors in state-owned and/or private-owned media organizations earn a sorrowful monthly income of GH¢200 or less, the pay-envelop will cry for other envelops – from anyone who will offer. A salary should actually take one home to live a decent life. Media work is hard work; it goes on endlessly all day long. It is not your typical 8am to 5pm profession; it belongs to the 24-7 category. As the International Federation of Journalists maintains, “There can be no press freedom if journalists exist in conditions of corruption, poverty or fear.” When media employers exploit their staff through meagre remuneration and sub-standard conditions of service, they are by extension, robbing journalism of its tremendous potential to maintain a grounded posture to serve society.
The ultimate triumph of a free people – economic independence, continues to elude Ghana. It is conceivable that through an improved media, Nkrumah’s declaration at Independence that, “At long last, the battle has ended. Ghana our beloved country is free forever,” can become a meaningful reality.
dorisdartey@yahoo.com
The writer is a Communications Consultant and an Educator
This year’s celebration of World Press Freedom day, under the theme, “Media, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding” is particularly significant because it is on the 118th day, in the fourth month of the first year in a new political administration. Press freedom cannot be taken for granted. Even when you are so sure that you have it, if you dare blink for so long, you run the risk of losing it in a flash. That is just the way it is – the product of a fundamental human flaw to shut out negativity. Freedom is not for free. Press freedom must therefore be guarded by all; fingers must be on the pulse. Unfortunately, journalists can themselves perpetuate the erosion of press freedom through self-censorship, that insidious internal self-editing and self-killing of thinking that influences the journalistic art of writing and speaking that is informed by the need to be careful, or else……. A Ga proverb articulates this wit as follows, ‘Fio fio ne adedong keyeo gbe tue’ (Literally – Gradually, the house fly munches a dog’s ear.)
As this government settles in for the four-year constitutionally mandated governance, one of the areas widely-open for learning and tweaking is its relationship with the media as the country continues the journey of deepening its democracy on the set path of the 1992 Constitution.
Without a doubt, it is still very early in President Mills’ administration to pin-point any warts on the Emperor’s delicately essential body parts and to articulate anything of substance about the quality and/or direction of the government’s relationship with the media with regard to press freedom. For the time being, the relationship can at best be described as a cat-and-mouse-game of figuring each other out.
The gaming phase is a good place to be, much better than any scare-crow oppression and media silencing. The ‘cat’, representing a typical government of a developing country, naturally prefers a mouse (the media) that is safely consigned to either being out of sight or quietly allowing itself to be munched. But one should be able to hold on to the promise of President Mills to tolerate press freedom without any efforts to silence contrary views during the NDC’s second act. This promise of tolerance of dissenting media naturally extends to political functionaries who might be tempted (for one reason or the other), with unchecked egos, to catch or kill the naughty juicy mouse.
Wole Soyinka put it best: “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” A docile and silent media that merely sings the praises of a ruling government is unproductive and boring. Hear Alice Walker: “No person is your friend who demands your silence or denies your right to grow.” Personal growth emanates from the ability to apply ones mind to thinking.
Silence is death. For a developing country with challenges in just about every sphere of life – poorly equipped hospitals, roads which are death traps, a weak educational system, corruption in public life which has permeated private life, a sanitation monster which we appear unable to manage, among many others – the worst any government can do is to stifle freedom of speech.
All hands, brains as well as the patch-work of perceived ugly annoying critical mouths should be on board to cross-fertilize ideas for national development.
Regardless of the challenges Ghanaians endure as citizens of a developing country, democracy appears to have come to stay, with the accompanying freedoms. Throughout this country’s struggles under-the-thumbs of various governments and dictators, journalism has remained one of the unshakable bastions of Ghana’s arduous journey on the democracy path. When you are crossing a river and you get into the middle, you do not return, especially when you know the desolation you have left behind. Once you have learned something, you cannot unlearn it.
Muffling the media is therefore not an option.
Besides, the Ghanaian population benefits tremendously from freedom of speech within an enhanced environment of a free press. For instance, the liberalization of the airwaves has made the media accessible to Ghanaians from all walks of life who, through another pervasive technological innovation, the mobile phone, continuously call into FM radio stations across the country to express their opinions. It is therefore unlikely that the Ghanaian citizenry will quietly tolerate a withdrawal of freedom of speech and by extension, press freedom.
Internal Media Dialogue:
There are several issues crying for dialoguing within the media. One unfortunate development in the media is what appears to be blocks of NDC and NPP journalists, an echo of the poisonous polarization of our country along political lines. This is a development that can potentially get in the way of basic journalistic standards of objectivity, accuracy, fairness and ethics.
There is an over-emphasis on political journalism to the neglect of development oriented issues. If a visitor from another planet monitors Ghana’s media content, s/he might doubt that this is a developing country where many still live in abject desperate poverty – on less than one cedi a day. But good flesh and blood journalism in any country, by definition, is what that society needs to advance. The media has the vast potential to wage a crusade for the development of Ghana. The slow pace of Ghana’s development requires the kind of media that will be passionate advocates, watchdogs and gatekeepers of society to promote human rights, fight corruption, and relentlessly expose issues that are inimical to development.
Ethics and conflict of interest is an area ripe for internal dialoguing. The media must exercise care about whose interests they serve. Journalism must serve only the public interest. The media must therefore endeavour to stay on high ground and avoid operating in manure piles that have been rained on. In a global era of corporate colonization, there is a danger of compromising the interests of Ghana to foreign nationals and/or corporate greed. Fact: a journalist is NOT a politician or a representative of politicians. A journalist is NOT an advocate of products or spokesperson of profit-making entities.
Of all professions, journalism should remain the conscience of a society and be at arms to protect it from harm through exposing devious actions. Journalism in a developing country cannot therefore afford to be practiced under corrupting influences. Like in the story about the Trojan Horse, ‘Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.’ Journalists should therefore not get cosy with those whose actions they should expose.
As part of Press Freedom Day, the internal dialogue in media institutions should be to take a hard look at the matter or poor remuneration of staff. When senior editors in state-owned and/or private-owned media organizations earn a sorrowful monthly income of GH¢200 or less, the pay-envelop will cry for other envelops – from anyone who will offer. A salary should actually take one home to live a decent life. Media work is hard work; it goes on endlessly all day long. It is not your typical 8am to 5pm profession; it belongs to the 24-7 category. As the International Federation of Journalists maintains, “There can be no press freedom if journalists exist in conditions of corruption, poverty or fear.” When media employers exploit their staff through meagre remuneration and sub-standard conditions of service, they are by extension, robbing journalism of its tremendous potential to maintain a grounded posture to serve society.
The ultimate triumph of a free people – economic independence, continues to elude Ghana. It is conceivable that through an improved media, Nkrumah’s declaration at Independence that, “At long last, the battle has ended. Ghana our beloved country is free forever,” can become a meaningful reality.
dorisdartey@yahoo.com
The writer is a Communications Consultant and an Educator
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