Hot Topic - Press/Media Freedom
Condemnations came swiftly from all quarters after the offices of French satirical newspaper were destroyed in early morning hours Wednesday (November 2). “One or two incendiary devices,” witnesses reported to Le Monde, were thrown through windows causing extensive damage to electrical and computer systems. “Everything was destroyed,” said publisher Charb. There were no injuries.
Every dictator knows that keeping news media under tight control is essential to holding power. It’s fear that matters and fear that rules. When authorities use intimidation tactics against news media they always reveal their own weakness.
Freedom of the press, perhaps a surprise to some, was not originally enshrined to protect newspapers. It was to protect printing houses. This dates back to the 16th Century. Many, many countries, even those with rather dicey records on the more modern formation of press freedom, have a law or two to protect the process of printing from the whims of kings, bishops, landlords and such. The modern equivalent of controlling printing presses might be like controlling the internet, a concept near and dear to today’s politicians, as expressed so eloquently this week by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the e-G8 in Paris.
Twitter did in one afternoon what the brightest legal and political minds in the UK have failed to accomplish for years – put a virtual end to the UK’s super injunctions which allows the courts not only to stop an upcoming media story but also prohibits publication that such an injunction was granted! And a day later the European Court of Human Rights surprises just about everyone and ruled that the media doesn’t have to forewarn people they are about to be outed.
Media’s inquiring eye will remain wide open and unblinking, as it should be, said Europe’s human rights court. Celebrities and other notables will not have the special privilege of knowing their exploits are headed for the tabloids. Privacy is important but the public interest rules.
The new century brought with it a whole new media context. News cycles are faster than the electrons in the chips that power new technology. At the same time clouds of intimidation and corruption veil the ideal of press freedom. It deserves a moment of silence, a pause for reflection.
Media policies, in theory, exist to help things work smoothly. Think how difficult broadcasting would be with spectrum rules. They can, in reality, be heavy handed or, even, under-handed. Unlike the laws of physics, sometimes its best to just try again.
Civil strife is never easy on the eyes. Tension begets hatred, which begets violence, supporters of all sides participating. Media is, then, tangled in the conflict; hostile, rough and ugly.
The radio medium has shown through its 100-year history an incredible power. That power has delighted, informed and entertained; a testament to its enduring strength. Radio’s power, too, has been a force for evil and madness.
Media workers are literally running for their lives. Another beating, another threat; it’s scary. The powerful – and scary – like it that way. Chasing a story can mean always looking over your shoulder.
Press freedom, loosely defined, is a mirror on the social values on nations. Post-modern media gives away nothing, jumping from platform to platform, often loudly. National leaders either accept the chaotic information blitz coming from all directions or choose silence.
Those of us living in societies where freedom of the press is a given can easily forget in just how many places in the world such freedoms are still being fought for daily with lives, imprisonment and intimidation. The latest report from WAN-IFRA says that so far this year 56 journalists have been killed, catching up on the 99 killed last year, more than 100 journalists are imprisoned either with no charges or trials or via sham trials with hundreds more forced into exile, and intimidation is on the rise.
International broadcasting reaches into dark places. Metrics are obscure. Missions blur. And it’s hard to graft an answer to the head of a pin. The fight for funding requires tenacity.
Politicians feed on the affection of their constituents. It sustains them, for good or ill, making them powerful. Getting between a politician and his or her craving doesn’t bode well for news media.
The news business is going through difficult times. Advertising revenues are way down, with little clear understanding of the relationship between blogs and the internet to paper media. For the moment, print is the big loser. But, whatever your media preference – I do assume people are still interested in getting the news, especially readers who are looking at this article – two recent stories show how valuable the media can be in checking the government while informing the public.
The relationship between the Turkish government and the country's media has gone from sour to simply rotten. Using a variety of judicial and administrative rulings, the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chased journalists, television channels, newspapers and their owners giving the appearance, at the very least, of a war over words. International condemnation has little effect on a country - and leaders - moving in their own direction.
The European Union is again in expansion mode, reluctantly. After the 2004-2006 leap that added 12 new Member States, Southeast Europe - the Balkans - are the next logical step. But, as the famous poet said, “there are miles to go.”
See also in ftm Knowledge
Press/Media Freedom - Challenges and Concerns
Press and media freedom worldwide is facing challenges from many corners. As authoritarian leaders impose strict control over traditional and new media with impunity, media watchers have concerns for democracy. This ftm Knowledge file accounts the troubles of this difficult decade. 88 pages. PDF (December 2011)
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