Global Media: Free media a must for progress and empowerment in Africa [opinion]

THERE is growing concern among South African journalists and some individuals over government’s Protection of Information Bill, likely to be promulgated into law soon, and the possibility that there might be a media tribunal in the near future. I believe that the concern is justified. I have practised as a journalist for many years. I have travelled around Africa and some Arab countries as well. I have seen revolutionary movements promising access to information, freedom of speech and the media, but within a short time of coming into power, reneging on such promises.

In many African countries, access to government information is difficult, if not impossible. Freedom of the press is a mirage. Even the basic information, like the number of HIV infected people in a clearly demarcated area, is not easy to get. You have to go from one bureaucrat’s office to another. Only after a long time will you get such information – if you are lucky.

 

In some of these countries access to information is said to be a privilege. Under such circumstances journalists always write in fear – they fear defaming or infuriating the powerful. They are sometimes forced to reveal their sources.

 

In some African countries journalists are turned into State witnesses.

 

To be on the safe side, they choose to write admiringly about successful government projects rather than the decaying infrastructure, overcrowded prisons, “rehabilitation centres” and police brutality.

 

Indeed, a lot of journalists have been harmed or died in Africa under mysterious circumstances because of being “too curious” or “talkative”.

 

A case in point is that of a radio journalist in Mozambique, Custodio Rafael. He was attacked a few years ago by unknown men while on his way home from work.

 

The attackers told him: “You talk a lot”, before beating him and cutting his tongue with a knife. He was quickly rushed to hospital for treatment.

 

Newspaper journalist Carlos Cardoso was not so lucky. He died in a hail of bullets as he was leaving his office in Maputo’s suburb of Polana.

 

His only crime was to have dared to doggedly follow some leads investigating government corruption.

 

I was in Zimbabwe in the early 1990s when Basildon Peta of the independent Daily Gazette was harassed by “men in suits”, as the secret police agents in the country were then known. His only crime was to have dared to write about some private companies which, in collusion with some government officials, did not pay their taxes in time.

 

Those were the days of “guided democracy” in that country. Those in power had decided to choose what news was good for public consumption. “Good news” was the speeches and messages of government ministers and President Robert Mugabe. Other developments were not so important.

 

During those days you wouldn’t dare criticise or expose government scandals. Genuine journalism was overtaken by praise-singing. Sycophants had a field day. As a result, accountability in government corridors began to fade away. Affairs of government became top secret. The right of access to information was relegated to the dustbin of history, next to the spinning wheel and the bronze axe.

 

I wonder if this is the South Africa that we want. I wonder if this is the South Africa some of us spent most of our lives fighting for.

 

For this reason I fully support South African journalists fighting for media freedom.

 

Ensuring a free media in Africa is a must, it is not an option if indeed we are interested in developing our countries and peoples.

 

Free media contribute to empowerment. They are central to good governance and the fight against corruption. They can ensure transparency and the rule of law. In order for citizens to engage in public discourse and to hold their leaders and governments accountable, they must have access to free media.

 

That said, however, we as journalists need to look into ourselves as well. We need to conduct our duties professionally and according to respected norms internationally.

 

Respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of the journalists.

 

In pursuance of this duty, journalists are supposed to report only in accordance with facts of which origins are known. Genuine journalists are not supposed to suppress essential information or falsify documents.

 

It is my earnest belief that journalism is anchored in trust. We all serve the public. All those connected with it are supposed to be trusted and respected, especially by the people we claim to serve.

 

Wandile Kese is a former Daily Dispatch journalist and a resident of Mdantsane

 

-August 19, 2010 by Wandile Kese

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Source: www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx  (accessed on 19.08.10)