Delroy Chuck RIGHTLY, THE press has been hailed as the guardian of a free, open and democratic society. Through the free press, a wide range of opinions proliferates, information disseminates and the conflict and battle of ideas are encouraged and practised. Without the free press, Western societies and modern civilisation, as we have come to know them, would be significantly different. Few can doubt the significant and seminal role the free press plays in protecting and promoting the well-being, dignity and development of a truly good society.
The recent celebration of World Press Freedom Day allows media practitioners and those who acknowledge and depend on the vital work of the free press to reflect on their work, to find ways and means to strengthen the rights and privileges of journalists and to defend the media against those who would seek to fetter and abridge its present rights and freedoms. In truth, journalists around the world have risked their lives and liberties in the pursuit of information, in exposing corruption and criminality, in defying tyranny and brutality, and in the interests of freedom, decency and civility. Many journalists have been killed in the line of duty and to them we pay homage for making the ultimate sacrifice in the practice of their craft.
APPRECIATION
Here in Jamaica, we have yet to appreciate the varied, vital and vigorous role expected of journalists, columnists and media practitioners. The Press Association of Jamaica has little influence or power, as it seems to lack cohesion, respect or support. Journalists decry and undermine one another, which is right and normal, but many would restrict the craft of journalism to those who are certified, trained or approved, which would be definitely wrong. Even within the profession of journalists, opinions still vary and views still contend on the role of the press, which is a good sign that the profession is responsible, thinking and unfettered.
To be sure, there are many who think the role of the press should be to disseminate good, positive and wholesome views and opinions, or to inform and relate only facts and events, or to educate and edify the society, or to fight injustice and oppression, or to be a public relations machinery and one could go on. Yet, I think the primary role of the free press has to be the promotion and protection of the public interest, however we conceive it to be. A newspaper, radio or TV station that simply promotes limited, narrow or private interest cannot, or is unlikely, to survive and garner support nationally. For an organ of the free press to survive, it has to satisfy and cater to the needs, views and preferences of the marketplace.
I suspect that the press is no different from the producer, trader or seller of goods and services, save and except that it markets ideas, views and opinions and has a tremedous
power and influence over what it markets. It is that ability and opportunity to quickly and efficiently disseminate and display saleable data, facts and opinions that make the press so powerful and influential. When we speak of the power of the press, therefore, we mean the power to influence opinions and to distribute or control information. It is in fact its power to influence opinion that makes the press such an important organ within a democracy and so feared by other wielders of power.
No one fears the free press more than persons who have something to hide, such as corrupt and weak politicians. It is in this regard that I think the Jamaican press has failed the people of Jamaica greatly. When we consider how vibrant and inquisitive the media have been in the great democracies of North America and Europe to expose corruption and wrongdoing, to punish oppression and injustice, and to stop evil and wickedness, then one wonders what has happened why a similar tradition of exposure has failed to emerge here. In truth, I would contend that America is the bastion of democracy primarily because the free press has rightfully emerged as the fourth estate a champion of the public interest.
If the free press is to gain credibility and support here, it has to act more courageously, more forthrightly and certainly unfettered by extraneous considerations. I think that far too many journalists believe their role is simply to be good public relations practitioners, without being sufficiently sceptical and critical of what is happening in our country today. With so many things going wrong and falling apart, the media should have more than enough material to assess and determine who is at fault and why our country should be in the present predicament.
ANACHRONISTIC
I accept that the libel laws are feared and expose publishers to enormous damages and concede many of these laws are anachronistic and urgently need updating. Still, in spite of outdated laws, there is much more the media can do to contain and expose the escalating levels of corruption, injustice and wrongdoing, everywhere.
I readily accept that in the protection and promotion of the public interest, public officials must be scrutinised at a higher standard than private individuals. Those of us who offer ourselves for public service must understand that our behaviour, our private deals and secret connections are matters that can affect our judgement and decision-making process and, thus, the public has a right to know. Naturally, there are limits of good taste, rational consideration and reasonable expectation but, in a free and democratic society, the marketplace is the arbiter of good and wise judgements and will punish the journalist or media practitioner who goes astray. At the end of the day, when the free press discharges its public role with credibility, courage and confidence, the citizens can expect to live and enjoy a decent quality of life in a free, open and democratic society.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by e-mail at delchuck@hotmail.com.
