21ST CENTURY MEDIA: NEW FRONTIERS, NEW BARRIERS

By Ahaziah Abubakar Suleiman

 Activities marking the 2011 World Press Freedom Day, which began on Tuesday May 3, are being rounded off today. The day was set aside by the United Nations under one of its agencies; United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) for the observance of fundamental human rights and the freedom of expression.

Twenty years ago, a group of journalists who met in Windhoek, Namibia came up with a declaration on how to protect the fundamental principles of the freedom of expression as enshrined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Following the declaration, journalists now enjoy unprecedented opportunities due to new technologies with more and more people being able to share information and exchange views within and across national borders. However, the new technologies are coming with new threats as a result of the new media.

As we celebrate yet another World Press Freedom Day, the day gives the society the opportunity to commemorate the fundamental principles of Press Freedom around the World and to pay solemn tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in line of duty.

This year’s theme is: "Twenty First Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers." Highlights of the celebrations this year included the importance of Freedom of Information as an integral part of freedom of expression and its contribution to democratic governance.  Other ideas exchanged at the this year’s celebration include, Freedom of  Information to advance  empowerment, transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption as well as finding solutions to the obstacles to effective exercise of the right to  know in today’s digitalized world.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with UNESCO, marked the day with a workshop where papers on the freedom of Information bill were presented. Addressing journalists, the Nigerian Minister of Information and communication, Mr. Labaran Maku said the media were a key factor to world peace. He paid tribute to journalists who died in the course of their duty and veterans who shaped modern journalism.

Over the years, journalists have become victims of violence in different parts of the world. They are killed, maimed and in some cases rendered incapacitated to carry out their day-to-day activities.  In the last decade, over five hundred journalists have been killed worldwide in the course of their duty.

According to UNESCO, from May 2010 to date, sixty journalists lost their lives and every week a number of journalists and bloggers suffer from intimidation and violence with the latest being the disappearance of Al-Jazeera journalist in Syria.

In his message to mark the day, the UN Secretary General, Ban KI-Moon called on state authorities to do everything in order to counter impunity and protect the safety of journalists by guaranteeing the promotion of freedom of information. The UN Scribe acknowledged the courage of journalists who paid the ultimate prize for press freedom.

Nigeria is considered to be a country with the freest media in Africa. However, the Freedom of Information Bill that has been passed by the two chambers of the national assembly needs to be harmonized and sent to the President for assent. Without the assent of the president, the quest for a total freedom for the media in Nigeria will be a mirage.

As we mark yet another World Press Freedom Day, journalists should not be used as scape-goats to settle political scores or for covering corrupt practices. There is need therefore, for member nations of UNESCO to implement their international commitments to guarantee the promotion of Freedom of Information for all. Unless this is done, the Freedom of Information will be for only the privileged few in the society, while journalists will continue to die though the hands of those with skeletons in their wardrobe.

The challenges of national economies, capital to expand operations and the welfare of journalists should be brought to the fore. More than ever before Journalism is under serious threat by the advent of the new media where everybody poses as a reporter without clear cut line for the professionals.

Ordinary people find it difficult to differentiate between the trained and citizen journalists. The only option left for the professional journalists is to continue to be fair, balanced and objective in their reportage to gain the confidence of the public otherwise the social media will continue to wreak havoc on the society.

 

Broadcast On Wednesday May 4, 2011