The glory of journalism
The glory of journalismBy Editor
Sunday September 16, 2007 [04:00]
POWER corrupts, and there is nothing more corrupting than power exercised in secret. The most effective means of ensuring the government's accountability to the people is an aggressive, free, challenging and trusting press.
An honest, fearless press is the public's first protection against gangsterism, abuses and all forms of corruption - local and international. To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs, which have been gained by reason and humanity, over error, oppression, abuses and corruption.
We agree with the observation made by University of Zambia head of mass communication department Ken Makungu that a free press is probably the most effective institution to control collusive corruption. If the press does not sound the warning, who will?
The press should be considered not as a fourth branch of government but as an essential counterweight to government, the basic check against abuse of official power. No one should be able to pull the curtains of secrecy around decisions, which can be revealed without injury. We journalists don't have to step on roaches. All we have to do is turn on the kitchen light and watch the critters scurry.
A free press, which is capable of checking the arrogance of government, is essential to the building of any fair, just and humane society. Since informed public opinion is the most potent of all restraints upon mis-government, abuses and corruption, its suppression should not be regarded otherwise than with grave concern.
There is need to guard vigorously the essential stewardship role a free press plays in creating and maintaining an open society. A free press is the most potent weapon in the fight against corruption.
A free and independent press is essential for making citizens aware of corruption. By investigating and reporting on corruption, the press provides an important tool in the fight against the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, shedding light on the wrongdoings of public officials, law enforcement agents and the Judiciary, health professionals and corporate executives alike.
As such, it significantly contributes to the knowledge base with which citizens can hold both public and private institutions to account. No problem in any society or community can be solved until it becomes a tangible reality for all to see. And this can only be so if the press promotes effective public discourse.
The press is, however, vulnerable to attempts to curb its effectiveness in exposing corruption. In fact, journalists' freedom to report on this issue is restricted when such reporting is at odds with powerful political and business interests or with organised crime.
And for this reason the press needs to be defended, protected and its work promoted.
The economic impact of corruption may be difficult to establish with precision. But here we are dealing with enormous amounts of resources that are taken away from the economy, from production and from social programmes.
The costs are borne by the citizens: the price of corruption is paid by using monies intended for the legitimate use of society.
Corruption is a cause of great concern in our country today, in that it is also connected to politics, to the struggle for power, to money laundering and other forms of criminality.
Therefore, the fight against corruption must be based on broad cooperation between various actors nationally and internationally. And this cooperation is almost impossible without an effective free press.
Clearly, democracy and respect for human rights and freedom of the press are important in the fight against corruption. Independent press and an active civil society are vital if the fight is to be effective.
Corruption is more easily detected in a transparent society and transparency can therefore also have a preventive effect. Consequently, support to promote democracy, human rights and a free press is also an important contribution in the fight against corruption.
There is a need for a greater openness on the subject of corruption by giving it greater press coverage and by focusing more strongly on the fight against corruption in community and national debates and international dialogue on development issues.
It is more difficult for corruption to survive in systems where the media is free and effective and where information is readily available and government activities are open to public scrutiny.
And for all its deficiencies - which are many - the free and independent press in this country has continued to play a very critical role in the fight against corruption and in efforts to create and maintain an open society. And the evidence of all this is there before our courts.
The great majority of the cases of corruption that have been exposed and prosecuted in this country have been as a result of the work of our free and independent press. This is a fact that cannot be disputed.
It is therefore important for our people to do everything possible to create a more favourable environment for the media so that it can deliver effectively. For better or worse, so long as this country continues to aspire to be a well-governed nation, a free press is indispensable.
A well-governed country and a free press are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. No nation ever has and none will.
From all this, it can be seen that the glory of journalism is in its transience.
Labels: EDITORIAL, JOURNALISM
posted by MrK @ 5:38 AM
1 Comments:
KAMBWILI'S WIFE HAS LEFT ZAMBIA BECAUSE OF POOR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE,SHE NOW LIVES IN THE UK,IF THE LIFE A PATIENT IS IMPORTANT,CAN YOU TELL THE NATION WHY YOU ALLOW YOUR WIFE TO GO AWAY?WHY DIDN'T YOU BEAT HER FOR RUNNING AWAY FROM THE PATIENT.SHE SHOULD HAVE CONTINUED WORKING UNTIL THINGS A BETTER IN ZAMBIA.
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