Let journalism thrive

BY IDRIS MABADEJE

The task of nation building certainly requires the optimal   functionality of a number of institutions. One of such is the press. An ideal and functional press, especially in a democracy, promotes plurality of voices and gives vent to shades of opinions, empowering the people thereby. 

However, journalists around the world, who provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments, have become increasingly endangered. On a daily basis, journalists are attacked, harassed, kidnapped, threatened, censored, assaulted, jailed or even killed for doing their jobs.

It is with a view to promoting press freedom that UNESCO sets aside May 3rd of every year as World Press Freedom Day, essentially to celebrate the principles of press freedom; evaluate press freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the course of practising their profession.

In tandem with the objectives of the celebrations, the theme for 2015 is Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, and Safety in the Digital Age. 

That journalism has become an endangered profession becomes clearer when viewed in the light of the 2013 Report by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, CPJ  - an independent, non-profit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. The report indicates that  “There has never been a more dangerous time for journalists, with record numbers killed and imprisoned around the world. New technologies enable censorship and surveillance on an unprecedented scale ...”.

Other reports from the CPJ put the total number of journalists killed since 1992 at 1,121, with 61 occurring in 2014 alone. Also, while about 404 journalists have been forced into exile since 2009, 221 others were in jail as at December 2014.

As part of this year’s celebrations therefore, Syrian journalist and human rights activist, Mazen Darwish, currently in prison, has been named winner of the 2015 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize by an independent international jury of media professionals

Darwish’s nomination as the prize winner was in recognition of the work he had carried out in Syria for more than 10 years at great personal sacrifice, enduring a travel ban, harassment, as well as repeated detention and torture.
He is the president of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (CMFE), founded in 2004, and one of the founders of The Voice newspaper and syriaview.net, -an independent news site banned by the Syrian authorities. In 2011, Darwish established Media Club, the first Syrian magazine about media affairs. He has been detained since February 2012, when he was arrested.

The establishment, maintenance and fostering of  independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracies. If indeed nations desire to become egalitarian, where freedom and equality reign, then it is imperative that stakeholders demonstrate great commitment towards enhancing their democratic gains. 

Although cases of press freedom violations in Nigeria currently may not be alarming, yet this year’s celebration offers everyone ample opportunity to develop and, or support initiatives in favour of press freedom. Democracy cannot thrive, if we resist or detest plurality of opinions and harass journalists, overtly or covertly.

This year’s celebration, once again serves as a reminder to governments around the world, of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For the Nigerian federation, apart from other statutes, the Right to freedom of expression and the press as stipulated in Chapter IV Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, comes to mind and is substantially imperative in finding the way forward. 

Journalism practitioners must bear in mind at all times that as the watchdog of society, with onerous responsibility of holding the government accountable  at all times, through effective interface with the mass of the people, adhering to professional ethics is a recipe for healthy practice, for the good of society. Press freedom is not, and should never be excuse for irresponsibility.

Our digital age has unarguably extended the frontiers of free expression and communication, globally. Through the cyberspace, information from anybody now reaches a great number of people and even at a speed, hitherto unimaginable. However, what separates professional journalists and media houses from the humongous cyber information charlatans is the credibility of the information put across. Churning out irresponsible and unverified information on a consistent basis, erodes credibility of individuals and organizations involved.

It is therefore a good development  that the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is joining the rest of the world to once again focus on issues bordering on press freedom, safety of journalists, remuneration and above all, members’ compliance to ethical standards. 

In Akwa Ibom, the issue of gender equality in media practise is almost a non-issue, as women serve in different capacities like Press Secretaries, media managers, Chapel Chairmen and State Working Committee members of the NUJ.  However, there is apparent public outcry against publication of falsehood, character assassination and lack of objectivity by a number of  local newspapers, many of whom do not have traceable addresses. The Union, in collaboration with other stakeholders will therefore, be serving the public good if it would ensure that only qualified journalists are allowed involvements with its activities. This will enhance public trust and promote better journalism practise.

-Idris is of the State Ministry of Information Chapel of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists