#Bocas2017: Challenges to Free Press

Fake news. Fast news. News via a text message. News on your timeline. The complexities inherent in the media industry often go unnoticed by the public.  The Bocas Lit Fest continued its emphasis on human rights issues with an  immensely important discussion on Why a Free Press Matters with senior journalists Wesley Gibbings, Asha Javeed, Kenyan journalist and writer Peter Kimani and former government spokesman Andy Johnson. This lively discussion was chaired by Mark Wilson. The freeness with which the panelists spoke proved to be a topic of discussion, even after, for many persons who are not part of the media fraternity. These are some of the key points of that discussion. 

Law and Legislature

The media is experiencing more freedom but also more restriction. Freedom of speech protects a nation from an overreaching government. Ultimately, free speech is necessary in a free society. Wilson indicated that the Whistle Blowing Act, Data Protection Act and Cyber legislature all provide areas where journalists can feel a level of discomfort concerning the way they carry out their duties.

Criminal elements

In Trinidad and Tobago, is there interference from the criminal world to the media?

 

Javeed stated that for the most part, journalists are free to write without interference from the criminal world in this country.  She even mentioned the new ‘phenomenon’ that is arising where criminal elements are using social media from hotspots and jails to ‘give their side of the story.’ Gibbings added that the only reason that such news would gain so much traction is because the public does not always see the media as providing the entire picture; honestly and without biases.

Of course, this nation is not devoid of interference from the criminal underworld as Johnson reminded the audience of when investigative journalist Mark Bassant had to flee the country in 2014 because of threats on his life. “Up to now, we don’t know if these threats were from the underworld or the people in blue,” he stated.

Politics and Business

How does politics prove to be a challenge for the media in Trinidad and Tobago?

 Javeed reveals that this present administration withholds information and this presents a challenge for her.  Johnson, pulling from his many years of experience, explained that there is always going to be ‘skirmishes’ between media and government. He recalls when he was working on an issue in 2003 involving the Housing Company where he was trying, without success, to obtain information from the Minister. He was called by a senior member of the media fraternity and told to, “lay off a lil bit and give the minister a lil space to breathe.”

Johnson revealed that one of his greatest challenges actually comes from the public and their personal opinions.  Yet, his resolve remains to, “Publish and broadcast and be damned.” 

Interestingly, the idea of patriotism and nationhood came up a couple times where journalists were being told that because of their work, they are ‘unpatriotic.’ Johnson stated strongly, “No one is going to tell me how to prosecute my citizenship as a journalist in Trinidad and Tobago.” Peter Kimani also revealed that a list was compiled by criminal elements in his country of unpatriotic members and he was on that list. Speaking on the pressures that emanate from the public as a journalist, Gibbings stated, “People in Caribbean don’t really believe in freedom of expression. We believe in ban, shut up and close down.”

 

“Every government for the past 30 years has seen the Express as an enemy,” stated Mark Wilson. Andy Johnson, speaking from his post as past-head of the GISL, stated that he saw and heard it happening first hand.  Why the attack? It seems that the Express has been robust in its tackling of the various issues of the day. 

 

Is there any evidence that shows that any government in our country has shown favoritism in distributing funds to different news stations?

State advertising has also been used as a way to punish or reward news agencies. The state would starve or feed an agency based on its usefulness to it.

There was also mention made of the CLICO fiasco where Wilson recounted that many persons seemed to know that it was in trouble but there was limited media coverage and an overall lack of enthusiasm to report on the situation. 

Of course, through granting or withholding advertising, many companies attempt to control the media as well. Wesley informed, though, that the threats of the ‘sky falling in’ which usually precedes a major reveal is usually unfounded. 

Kimani contributed that ,in Kenya, a similar situation occurs where every story has to be routed through the government advertising agency and, obviously, this would be challenging for reporters who may write an article which the government finds does not fit in with the image that they would like to portray.  This often results in withholding resources and payment.

The Way forward

 

Journalism has come a long way in our country. However, of course, it still has a long way to go. It was suggested that the withholding of government advertising can be a positive thing as it forces media personnel to search for other ways to attract readership and revenue online.  Further, data and statistical journalism is being explored to greater inform the public. 

The challenges faced by the media often go unnoticed by the public and we never give a thought to the effect our words will have on their resolve or the politics that go into advertisements that we feed on daily through various media. We should recognize that free speech is necessary for the proper functioning of a free society and that our journalists are the ones who we rely on to tell us what our government is doing. They are key fighters who protect us from tyrannical rulership.