Thorn in the side of the predators of press freedom

If the media was so important, why should it not be a very important part of the debate, he asked. The media reported very little of what was happening within the media itself, yet the media was not free of problems.

Dr Khan said there was corruption within the media in some places. It was not unknown for reporters to accept money to report an event or a story. For example, when in one country, he asked why there had not been more publicity about a vibrant training establishment in agriculture, he was told that the media in that area practiced ”envelopmentalism” journalism; (ie, payment was required). 

Some media organisations supported a particular political party and in some case political personalities owned media houses.  If media concentration resulted in few owners, even very professional journalists could be influenced by the culture of the house, knowing what you can and cannot do and how a story should be presented, he said.

Media monopolies could include newspapers, TV channel, radio stations and websites which meant monopolies take up more space, which in turn was subject to the influence of vested interests.

“Don’t we see media quality diminished for entertainment?” he asked. If it is the media that holds up a mirror to reflect the image of society, was that image not distorted?

A thought which suggests, that in addition to the physical violence which reporters face, other challenges, less obvious but invidious, are at work.  Personalities who control media monopolies are able to use entertainment and selective information in a variety of media formats to dumb down the wits, judgment and awareness of endless audiences. Especially through television programs, they can encourage lethargy of thinking and persuade people to see things in a particular perspective. The cynical phrase, ‘Bread and circuses’, continues to have considerable currency.

Declarations and resolutions are always welcome for they remind people of the gravity of the situations journalists can face to report the news. But UNESCO is armed only with a set of moral values, defined standards and the power of persuasion with which to confront dictators, criminals and wilful suppressors of information.  It is an unequal task. When the number of journalists killed mount up – 77 in 2009; 42 in 2008; 67 in 2007 - it can only be a source of appalling frustration for both UNESCO and media organisations trying to do something about it. 

Vivre the “Predators of Press Freedom” list and ilk activities, may they internationally flourish and blossom and spawn many others - to help bring the bastards to book.