#BTColumn – Free media: vaccine against oppression

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Wayne Campbell

“Freedom of the press is the staff of life, for any vital democracy.” – Wendell Willkie

The month of May is known for many international days; among them is World Press Freedom Day. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s General Conference.

Since then, May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing.

Special commemorations of the 30th anniversary are planned to take place during World Press Freedom Day International Conference. May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.

It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is an opportunity to: celebrate the fundamentals of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) eight journalists have been killed in the line of duty since the start of 2021. World Press Freedom Day this year has added significance given journalists have been called to disseminate accurate and timely information in spite of the ongoing “COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has made the work of journalists who are front line workers more challenging; unfortunately, some journalists have also contracted and died from the coronavirus.

According to the United Nations this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme “Information as a Public Good” serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good, and exploring what can be done in the production, distribution and reception of content to strengthen journalism, and to advance transparency and empowerment while leaving no one behind. The UN added that the theme is of urgent relevance to all countries across the world.

It recognizes the changing communications system that is impacting on our health, our human rights, democracies and sustainable development. During the complete month of May in Cambodia, UNESCO and its partners over social media will organize a series of events to recognize the vital role that journalists play in our society and to generate discussions on the importance of free and independent media in providing the public with reliable, timely and trustworthy information. UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azulay in her message stated that “The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, Information as a Public Good, underlines the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information.

It calls attention to the essential role of free and professional journalists in producing and disseminating this information, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content”.

World Press Freedom Index

The 2021 World Press Freedom Index shows that journalism, the main vaccine against disinformation, is completely or partly blocked in 73 per cent of the 180 countries ranked by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).Norway is ranked first in the Index for the fifth year. Finland maintained its position in second place, while Sweden recovered its third position and Denmark is ranked at fourth.

The 2021 Index has the Nordic countries occupying the top four positions and show their commitment in their approach towards upholding press freedom. Jamaica slipped one place on the Global Press Freedom index, and now ranks seventh among 180 countries that most respect press freedom. Trinidad and Tobago is ranked at 31, Guyana at 51 and Haiti at 87.

In relation to the more developed countries the United States of America comes in at 44, Canada at 14 and the United Kingdom at 33. Reporters Without Borders noted that “Jamaican officials drew criticism at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when Government restrictions were seen as prohibiting journalists from doing their work at a time when there was a strong need for accurate reporting.

The lowest-ranking countries were Eritrea, North Korea, Turkmenistan, China, Djibouti, Vietnam, Iran, Syria, Laos, and Cuba. Those countries ranked lowest of the Index tend to have authoritarian leadership and where the State control the media. In those countries, journalists are impeded from doing their job.

The Index assesses the level of pluralism, media independence, the environment for the media and self-censorship, the legal framework, transparency and the quality of infrastructure that supports the production of news and information. It does not evaluate government policy.

The UN states the COVID-19 crisis has placed journalists and quality journalism and public interest media once again at the center of the global discourse. Reporting on the crisis, through initiatives such as the popularisation of scientific facts, the compilation and frequent updating of data, fact-checking or monitoring spending has proved vital.

Around the world the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of media houses around the world, reporters have been harassed and attacked for their reporting on the handling of the pandemic, and the public has struggled to discern verified information from the falsehoods that have flooded the internet. UNESCO calls on all partners, to renew their commitment to the fundamental right to freedom of expression, to defend media workers, and to ensure that information remains a public good. An independent media plays a critical role in holding public officials to account.

The media provides a framework for good governance and transparency and thus facilitate greater participation for the citizenry. On World Press Freedom Day we must be mindful that media workers span both traditional and alternative media. In an age of social media or alternative media information can be sourced from a single entity; for example bloggers.

The celebration of World Press Freedom Day should be viewed against the backdrop that media workers must have the proper gears in order to navigate certain situations to obtain news. Media workers must also ensure their membership in their professional associations.

In the Jamaica, the Press Association of Jamaica represents the interests of journalists. Jamaica has come a far way in terms of press freedom. On this World Press Freedom Day we call for the unconditional release of all journalists. Additionally, we urge governments to safeguard the rights regarding a free press. A robust fourth estate ensures a vibrant democracy. In the words of George Orwell, freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com