(July 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Media freedom and the involvement of political parties and the police in it have come into sharp public focus as the Rupert Murdoch Media Empire came crumbling down two weeks ago. The phone hacking scandal assumed such high proportions that it became necessary for a committee of the British Parliament to inquire into the matter with those concerned summoned to give evidence before MPs. This furor over the scandal in Britain has served the currently important purpose of highlighting the role that the media should play and how journalists should conduct themselves in carrying out their hallowed task of keeping the people informed of administrative affairs in democratic countries.
In our country also there is increased attention paid to the role of the media with those in the echelons of power pontificating on how the media institutions and personnel should conduct themselves and those aspiring to assume power complaining about curbing media freedom. The ruling party seems to have forgotten about the contribution that the media made for them to achieve power by exposing the weaknesses of the past regime and the opposition parties seem to be oblivious of how they felt tormented by harsh media criticisms.
In any event, it is appropriate that there is renewed attention to this important sector influencing the conduct of affairs in this country which is committed to pursuing democratic principles and practices. The Preamble to the Code of Ethics of the US Society of Professional Journalists states, “Public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility."
This brings out the importance of the role the media have to play in a democracy and also the sense of responsibility with which conscientious journalists should carry out their functions. It is in recognition of the importance of the role of providing information to the people that the United Nations Charter of Human Rights in Article 19, provides, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Inspired by this provision, nations committed to democratic principles have enshrined this thought in their constitutions. The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Article 14 (1) (a) provides, “Every citizen is entitled to the freedom of speech and expression including publication.”
All these ideas and provisions would remain a dead letter unless they are pursued in practical terms. And it is the media institutions and personnel serving in these institutions that perform this function of giving meaning to these provisions. The question that engages the attention of concerned people in this country today is whether the level of freedom available for free expression and publication is in conformity with the importance attached to this right. The government and the ruling party proponents incessantly assert their commitment to the protection and promotion of this freedom. To substantiate this assertion they often refer to the number of newspapers, publications and various news sites that carry vitriolic criticisms of government policies and actions.
The opposition parties and sections of independent observers who remain unimpressed by these assertions point out that certain policies and actions of the government pooh-pooh these claims. The incidents of attacks on media institutions, killing and harassment of journalists, threats and warnings to media personnel and numerous direct and indirect acts of intimidation directed against journalists who are harsher in their criticism show how intolerant the ruling party is of strong criticism, they allege. The government, however, washes its hands of responsibility for all these incidents and vows to carry out investigations and bring the miscreants to book. But the unfortunate fact is that almost all these killings, harassments and disappearances remain unsolved mysteries up to now although court proceedings are still being conducted.
The other aspect of government attitude to media freedom that draws much criticism is the role that state media institutions are permitted and encouraged to play. Some of these institutions and personnel serving in them seem to be completely oblivious that they are serving in institutions that are financed by people belonging different political parties who expect them to be independent and impartial. Today, these institutions have become exclusive propaganda channels for the ruling party.
Obviously, the private sector media institutions and journalists cannot also be complacent about their records. There is much change and improvement required by this sector for them to earn greater respect and acceptance from the public. There is urgent need for them to have greater commitment to pursuing ethical media principles and practices. While exercising their legitimate right to support any political party or political leader, they have to be truthful about what they publish. “Paramountcy of truth is the quintessence of journalism,” it is said. They have to avoid like the plague, malice, vengeance and unfair epithets in criticizing parties and politicians they do not favour.
The question that arises is whether investigative journalism is possible without probing policies, decisions and acts of those in power. Such probing requires access to sources that could provide information. And those in possession of required information do not give them out easily. They have to be exacted. In such situations too, principled journalists have to pursue ethical persuasive practices without resorting to bribery, harassment or intimidation.
The practice of such ethical journalism, no doubt, is extremely difficult in the prevailing situation in the country riddled as it is with numerous controversial, contentious and even scandalous issues involving politicians most of whom appear to be paragons of virtue while indulging in worst forms of crime, corruption and other antisocial acts. As such the task before well-meaning and conscientious journalists who attempt to serve the public interest is indeed challenging. Maximum commitment to independence and impartiality and moral courage to resist pressures and influences are, therefore, required to withstand the numerous challenges.
 Media freedom and the involvement of political parties and the police in it h...){kind=link}
Post a Comment