World Press Freedom Day - 3 May 2008

On Saturday 3 May celebrates the World Press Freedom Day, well this has been the norm for years. This occasion acknowledges the gains made over time in ensuring a safe environment for journalists to work in. It also acknowledges the challenges that still exist.

Journalists continue to be arrested, jailed and killed. Censorship is alive in many countries. Journalists are forced to give up their sources or face being jailed. Some are accused of spying on the state, stealing and selling state secrets, conspiring against their governments and many others. China for an example has been in the spotlight for its inhumane laws and disregard for human rights.

There have been however legislative changes favourable to the media in various countries in the last decade. There are also concerns that these changes are only for window dressing as they are not applied. It is true that in many instances the legislative environment makes it hard for the ‘free media’ to operate. But, we also need to look at the limitations affecting journalists e.g. lack of resources, editorial policies, knowledge base and ethics.

Very few countries in Africa have progressive laws regarding the media. Journalists are jailed for ‘telling like it is’. Recently in Zimbabwe there was a crackdown on journalists. Some are still in jail while others have been released and or fined. This problem is not unique to Zimbabwe but is widespread. The threats are there even in countries with progressive policies like South Africa. As much as there is freedom of expression on paper, there are various pieces of legislation that make it hard to collect and disseminate information.

There is evidence of changes in South Africa compared to the period before the 90s. There is an Independent Communications Authority which is independent of the state various other structures that have made life easier for the media and for the public. The introduction of the three tier system of broadcasting has ensured that the growth of community radio. More and more communities have access to information through radio. This has had an added benefit as people in the countryside are largely illiterate or semiliterate and too poor to afford a newspaper on a regular basis.

As we celebrate this day, we also have to answer a number of questions to understand where we are. The role of the media in society has to be clarified. Who owns the media and what their intentions are is another issue that needs attention? What arte the threats to media? What are the challenges facing journalists on the field and in the newsroom? What is alternative media? Is new media killing traditional media? Why are senior journalists leaving the media environment?

Media today is very diverse in character. The problem is that ownership is a major challenge as there is no diversity. Content has also not necessarily been diversified. We also have to ask ourselves whether this diversity has improved access to information by the average person.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.’ In an ideal environment, this article should be respected and adhered to.