Give it up, it’s not worth it!

Written by Cherelle Jackson
Sunday, 04 May 2008
“Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Empowerment of People.” Today is our day, it is a day when we Journalists are actually given the chance to embrace and appreciate what we stand for and that is freedom of the press for the rights of citizens. So my message on this World Press Freedom Day, to those who threaten, verbally abuse, physically abuse and unfairly accuse Journalists of crimes of the pen, give it up, it is not worth it. This writer has now been a Journalist for close to ten years in Samoa and just when you think you have heard it all, you hear a bit more. After experiencing the media in developed nations, the realization that Samoan journalists face far more constraints in the daily practice of journalism, becomes all too clear. The Journalists in Australia and New Zealand do not come face to face with the subjects of their news daily, we do. The Journalists in bigger newsrooms have at their disposal endless amounts of research material, assistance and facilities to make the pursuit of stories much easier, we don’t. The Journalists in developed nations have Freedom of Information legislations which enable them to gain access to information deemed otherwise inaccessible, we don’t. Like in any profession Journalism also has its challenges, and one of them is in the form of an abusive, angry and unhappy readers. Naturally Journalists have the responsibility to be accurate and strive for the truth at all times, sometimes we falter, but that does not give our readers the right to verbally abuse the writer nor send death threats in early hours of the morning. Freedom of Expression All Samoans have a right to express themselves; this is rooted in the constitution and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is a given, as a human being, this is as fundamental as ones right to life. Freedom of expression is healthy, in anything, in ones personal life, in ones professional, social and spiritual life as well, but again, to a degree. In Samoa, freedom of expression is sometimes hindered by Governments attempts to suppress citizens’ political opinions. In that event, the media provides an avenue for people to express themselves. Freedom of expression is also suppressed by the size of our community, people can sometimes be afraid to express themselves for fear of immediate repercussions, as somehow, somewhere, someone is related to someone who can make or break your career, can disrupt your daily life and perhaps jeopardize not just your future but the future of your children. This is a greater hindrance to freedom of expression than hesitation by the citizens themselves. Access to Information A few days ago this writer sat in front of a Government Information Officer for about fifteen minutes, trying to convince him, that indeed the media is not the enemy when it comes to issues that need local awareness. The inanity of Government secrecy is astounding at times, and leaves one to question the motives for such a need to withhold information. Access to information is vital to the work of a Journalist, for if there is no information, then the basis of informing ones reader, is non existent. Samoa has a very long way to go before access to information is well and truly practiced. The irony of it all is that on any given day the term ‘transparency’ is readily thrown in your face to defend actions by the powers that be, yet in the same breath they will say that Journalists have no rights to certain documents, that are allegedly for the public. This is perhaps the main obstacle in press freedom in Samoa, more so than the occasional black eye and the verbal daggers by disgruntled readers. Empowerment of People When Journalists seek and advocate for freedom of the press, we really intend to exemplify peoples right to know, their right as citizens of the free world to be informed and to be aware. The media is a tool for development through the empowerment of people, this of course is done by educating, creating better awareness on issues and in the least creating an avenue to share information which assists others. When people are empowered they can make informed decisions. In Samoa radio and television have the widest reach into the local communities, which means issues of note, that could make a difference to the lives of people are better targeted on those to forms of media. But people can only be empowered if they are given the informed in a language they understand. It is more than the mere translation of a language, it also requires the adaptation of concepts to suit the local situation. So in order for people to be empowered we have to be considerate of their needs and the information they require. Press Freedom Freedom of the press is not limited to freedom of the Journalist, the media practitioner, media owner or those who stand to gain from it, it is rather the freedom of a people. Freedom of the press is essential to ensuring a free and fair society; it is after all the fourth estate of democracy. So when Journalists are attacked, abused or killed even, it is in a sense an attack on democracy. So to those who make a habit of such practices, give it up, it is not worth it. May freedom of the press continue to prevail in Samoa. Comments (4) Subscribe to this comment's feed Just bring it ! written by Tone, May 04, 2008 We appreciate what you do , a great service to the people. So keep up the good work ! We Cannot Move Forward without such Freedoms! written by foward, May 05, 2008 Expression, Free Press, Right to Protest, Right to Disagree-- All of the Above is the function of a Free Society We lose these things an Only Anarchy and Tyrants exist. Remember the Democratic Society Experiences throughout the centurys. Remember the Nations that Limitied and curtailed its Citizens to collectivism(monarcy, communism et.al) based on Ideology that faults the functionality of man. When you limit man to his freedom of expression the reverse happens to governments. We read the bibilical principalls of Freedom. We read the documents the are in existance from immemorial to immemorial about the Freedom of mankind It explains to us that Freedom captured, Is no longer Free--- To Our Sons and Daughters of the Future Let Freedom Ring from every hill, From every village, From every valley and from every Isle! The Giver of that Freedom is Above in Heaven-- He is God Almighty and has not changed Man changes, God Never Changes-- If the Son has set you Free, You are Free Indeed--- Freedom of Press stops when I say so... written by Jack, May 05, 2008 I fully support the writer about freedom of the press. The government should not regulate where, what, when and how the press reports and do business. But when it comes to personal privacy, the buck stops there, it is off limit to the press unless given permissions. The press sometimes think they have a free ride just because the constitution say so. The right of the press in guarantee in public areas but in private is a no, no unless invited or given permissions. oi sole written by ace, May 05, 2008 Ao ai lega o faia lega amio o le faafefe o oukou in the early hours of the mornings???...e iloa le samoa palaai o le fai o ga uiga. Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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