Journalism is becoming an increasingly dangerous profession.
Share America says that 2,026 journalists have
been killed since 1992, most while covering politics, war or corruption. Many
were local reporters writing about problems in their very own streets. At least
nine journalists were killed in Ukraine during the first seven weeks of
Russia’s 2022 war of aggression.
The
Press Freedom year topic 2022 states that digital siege has an impact on
journalism. The topic examines the challenges to media viability in different
regions and media sectors, identifying viable solutions without compromising
the integrity and editorial independence and exploring the importance of professional
practices.
On the international
Press Freedom, as a guest at American Corner, a space managed by United States of America in Burundi, I
suggested to students a specfic topic : Press Freedom, one of the many
factors of a sustainable developement
Talking what is press,
all publisher ( people,
reporters, photographers..) working for a newspaper, magazine freedom, radio
stations, TV are said press and Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think
as one wants.
The publishers need freedom which gives them the right of the press to publish
information without much hinderance from authorities which should go with
responsibility (McQuail, 2003:556). Furthermore, responsible press freedom by
journalists enhances the capacity of the press to publish news in order to respond
to the totality of society (Curran & Seaton, 2010).
Generally, press freedom ensures that citizens
have a right to full information about decisions made by political authorities.
It brings about informed citizens leading to transparency in government
operations (Banda, 2007). Access to information helps citizens to monitor
government decision making more effectively. This in turn, enhances the role of
journalists in analyzing and passing on information to the general public
(Phiri, 2008).
Despites this press freedom, journalism is
becoming an increasingly dangerous profession,” as said Courtney Radsch,
formerly of the Committee to Protect Journalists. The committee as well as America Share say
that 2,026 journalists have been killed since 1992, most while covering
politics, war or corruption. Many were local reporters writing about problems
in their very own streets. At least nine journalists were killed in Ukraine
during the first seven weeks of Russia’s 2022 war of aggression
Around the world
They (journalists) run
great personnal risks including new restructions, consership abuse,
harassement, dentation even death (UN SG Antonio G, PFDay, 2021). According to RSF report 50 journalists were killed
in 2020, most of them in peaceful countries, and nearly 400 others were
imprisoned (Le Monde noted). Le Monde reported that 53 journalists were killed
in 2019, despite the reduction in the number of reports due to the Covid-19
pandemic. (RSF, final annual report published on December29,2020). At least 937 journalists have been killed
since 2011 (RSF report,2020).
In general, during the last 30 years, 2026
journalists were killed (Share America Report, published on April28,2022) and countries highly ranked in PF are : Finland, Sweden, Denmark,
Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Jamaica, New Zealand, Ireland, Portugal, and
Switzerland whereas the last
one are : North Korea,
Turkmenistan, Eritrea, China, Djibouti, Vietnam, Syria, Iran, Laos, Cuba and
Saudi Arabia (Index RSF,2021) .
In Africa, even though there is some form of limited press
freedom in some countries like Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, it is
important, however, to understand the kind of freedom in these countries is not
in any way near to what is known to exist in countries such as the United
States, Britain, France, Germany and Denmark (Ochilo, 1993:23). Furthermore, in many African
countries, press freedom is often suppressed and journalists regularly face
harassment and violence (Federation of African Journalists, 2010). In Zambia
for example, journalists are regularly attacked for criticizing the government
while others are censored and intimidated into conformity (Chama, 2012).
According to
the Committee
to Protect Journalists (CPJ), +- 30 journalists were killed during
the Somali war.
u According
to Pope VI, development must promote every man and the whole man," (Populorum
Progressio)
u Whether public or private,
the media play a crucial role in the economy. They support or criticize the
government, denounce or silence the opinions and misdeeds of industry, give
voice to the people or fail to speak on their behalf, and simply disseminate
economic information.
u As information
providers, the media are more likely to promote better economic performance
when they meet the following three conditions: independence, quality of
information provided, and a wide sphere of influence. In other words, when they
are in a position to reduce the natural asymmetry of information between those
who govern and those the
supposed to
serve, or even between private agents - managers and shareholders or employees.
Conclusion
Press Freedom influences the influencers
u When the media fit responsible profile, they
can enhance the credibility of industry and government by keeping a close eye
on their activities and publicly denouncing abuses, while enabling consumers to
make more informed decisions
u Responsible press freedom by journalists
enhances the capacity of the press to publish news in order to respond to the
totality of society (Curran & Seaton, 2010). Unfortunately, this level of
freedom is difficult to achieve because of many political challenges and vague
legal doctrines (Chama, 2012). In many African countries, intolerance of
opposing views by government makes responsible journalism irrelevant (Chirwa,
1996).
u As Ogbondah (1994) notes that many African
prisons are crowded with courageous and responsible journalists who are not
prepared to accept dictation of what they may or may not print (Ogbondah)
u Authorities should know that journalists are
their partners not opponents.They can't have much of a democracy without a free
press.
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