Journalists are a mirror of society. Journalists often go into combat zones armed with nothing sharper than a biro pen, blank as a notebook and as blunt as a camera, all in the name of gathering news, views and human interest stories for readers and viewers in the comfort of their living rooms, offices, entertainment spots, cell phones and laptop computers.
In their multiple role as educators, entertainers and informants of society, they have become opinion makers and even opinion shapers and peddlers of various agenda – good and bad.
Unfortunately, this critical mass has in many jurisdictions been vilified, assassinated, maligned, roughed up, bribed, threatened and in some instances used to ride agenda of vested interests. And where they have made exposés that embarrass or shine a spotlight into the dark recesses of corruption, underhand dealings, coups, executions or other malpractice, investigative journalists, have found themselves staring at the wrong end of a shotgun.
Not too long ago, award-winning investigative journalists with Standard Group’s KTN, Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu, have been recipients of rather unwelcome attention.
Death threats came from anonymous callers and dead-end postings in social networking sites followed last month’s airing of an investigative story Inside Story: death in 10 Minutes, on KTN, poking holes in the investigation of the helicopter crash that killed former Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, his deputy Orwa Ojode, two pilots and two bodyguards, on June 10, last year.
Other reporters have been manhandled by overzealous security agents, trailed by operatives with clearly suspicious motive instead of spending their time, resources and training on more worthy pursuits. But these are the agents seeking to shackle the media from taking a keen interest in their “activities”. And that is what must have informed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reassurance to the media fraternity and media in particular that his administration will uphold press freedom.
Indeed, the greatest democracies are those that accept criticism and are seen to do things above board. Democracy grew out of civilisations and empires of yore that encouraged discourse in matters of state, entrenched and defended personal freedoms. Tolerance of dissenting opinion, has, therefore been one of the barometers and pillars of societal development.
Media, too, is a living profession that constantly evolves to stay in-step with demands of society. The march of Information and Communication Technology has seen new forms of media emerge like Twitter, and Facebook. They have revolutionised the world of reportage and introduced a new headache for regulators who seek to limit hate speech, extortionist rings, pornography that thrive under the cloak of anonymity such media proffer bloggers.
On World Press Freedom Day, we welcome the personal commitment from the Head of State and look forward to collaborating to pass crucial bills such as the Data Protection Bill, Access To Information Bill, sort out the small matter of leveling the playing field in the digital migration process to enrich the Jubilee government’s agenda and stay true to our calling as watchdogs rather than lapdogs of the Establishment.
