THE world on Saturday celebrated Press Freedom Day, bringing once again to public consciousness the fact that free and independent journalism constitute the core of essential public good, and remains the backbone of accountability, justice, equality and the very essence of humanity.
Expectedly, newsrooms and journalism unions across Nigeria joined the rest of the world to participate in one way or the other in highlighting the significance of the day in the light of the very essence of the fundamental rights of self -expression, freedom to hold opinion and express same without impinging on the right of the individual or the security of the state. The principles of press freedom are same across the globe. The operational challenges do, however, differ from country to country.
Significantly, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres used the occasion to call on journalists across the globe to remain fearless in the discharge of their responsibilities of holding leadership accountable through objective reportage and dispassionate agenda setting. The UN Secretary General stressed the need for journalists everywhere in the world to be able to report freely without fear or favour.
In a message to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, Guterres maintained that when journalists are unable to work as a result of censorship or operational constraints, the society remains the loser.
His words “In a world plagued by conflict and division, World Press Freedom Day highlights a fundamental truth: Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press.”
Guterres acknowledged how fundamental the rights of journalists to freely carry out their assignment without encumbrances has come to be in a world desirous of freedom and Justice.
He, however, noted that rather tragically delivering on this onerous responsibility has become more difficult and more dangerous with each passing year.
Increasingly, journalists are facing attacks, going through unlawful detentions experiences. Censorship, sadly has become like a culture amidst intimidation, violence and the reality of death — simply for doing their jobs. The world is witnessing a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed in conflict areas. Currently, information dissemination at the world stage is keenly considering the place of
Artificial Intelligence in information integrity and how à it can be deployed to support freedom of expression . Meanwhile, biased algorithms, outright lies and hate speech have been identified as landmines on the information superhighway while
Accurate, verifiable, fact-based information remain the time tested best tool to defuse the landmines.
The world at this point requires an effective Global Digital Compact that should include concrete steps to strengthen international cooperation to promote information integrity, tolerance and respect in the digital space .
The threats and reality of AI are with us already and should be shaped in a way that is consistent with human rights and puts facts first.
Nigeria even in a democratic dispensation still presents myriad operational challenges for practicing Journalists. This includes conflict regions and deplorable working environment. The pay structure for the average journalist in Nigeria makes integrity in the information ecosystem a near impossible attainment. As a result of poor remuneration system, many Journalists go on assignments with little or no provision on how to deliver on the set goal and return to the newsrooms. It then becomes practically difficult for such journalists to turn down inducements which will in one way or the other compromise the credibility of reportage eroding in the process known tenets and ethics of the profession.
Many journalists have surrendered their professional callings on the altar of economic survival and life exigencies .Journalism in Nigeria of today, has therefore become a victim of weak institutional frameworks . In the face of a weak judicial system and a legislature that operates with a rubber stamp disposition there’s indeed a historical burden of responsibility on journalists as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to see how to steady and further consolidate Nigeria’s democratic culture and ethos over impunity and dictatorial tendencies. The nation’s economy is undergoing unprecedented inflationary and cost of living challenges. Survival has become a daily tightrope to walk. In the process, integrity of the information in the public space has become a major casualty.
There is a growing need for journalists in a free press to hold leadership accountable for our democracy to yield lasting and credible dividends. With the Freedom of Information Act, it is still sad to report that critical public sector information the Journalist requires to be faithful to his calling is still treated as top secrets and strictly confidential. The pervasive state of insecurity in the country has also created an additional challenge for the journalist to committedly carry out his responsibilities. No discourse on press freedom is ever deemed complete without due reference to the opinion of Thomas Jefferson the third President of America and a prolific writer. He maintained that our liberty in the wider society depends on the freedom of the press and that it cannot be limited without being lost.
He also did postulate that if he were to choose between a government without a press and press without a government he would not hesitate to choose the later. But again, it should be clear that he was referring to a free and responsible press. In Nigeria and other parts of the world, the advent of the social media has thrown up a number of credibility, gatekeeping and quality control challenges . Social media has its very positive and functional sides. We should however step in to ensure that the dysfunctional sides to its use do not render us a people without values. Press freedom is considered so crucial that it was highlighted in the declaration of independence of the American State, July 4, 1776 in the following words:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal” Again in the first amendment, it was clearly stated that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Journalism therefore should not be an all comers affairs. There should be a minimum benchmark for entry into the profession just as unions ,professional bodies and employers should fashion out ways of disciplining erring members. Freedom goes with concomitant responsibility. Journalists owe it an utmost responsibility to ensure that the world is at peace for come to think of it, when nations boil through wars and unmitigated violence, the Journalist often turns out to be the first casualty in the theater of war. We do therefore owe it a duty to maintain sustainable peace at all times as freedom of the press should not at anytime translate into licence for moral licentiousness and debauchery.
