Who will be held responsible when citizens fall prey to the dangers of journalism?
By Aasra Bramdeo
Trying to get a perspective from delegates at highwayAFRICA, the media rendezvous in Grahamstown which ended on September 10th, is no easy feat. With the theme of this year’s conference being: Citizen Journalism, Journalism for citizens. Journalists and academics all have an opinion on the phenomenon that is changing the face of the international media landscape.
The argument is essentially this: if journalists practice their profession according to a certain code of conduct, and if they are given certain legal protections, would the same codes and protections apply to citizen journalists.
Cisse Hamaye, the editor of the African Editors Forum (TAEF) in Mali says: “A journalist is a professional who should give factual, verified information therefore there must be protection. There is greater responsibility for a journalist.” But that isn’t always the case in Africa…
The lines are being blurred
Djimeli Tafopi Alexandre, the editor in chief of the La Messager Newspaper in Cameroon says access to training is a problem in his country and that many journalists actually only have on-the-ground training. There is often no background teaching on ethics or best practice. The mainstream media is often in court on charges, especially in respect of reports about corruption in government. Alexandre says while the Internet would allow more freedom that the traditional model does, it would not have much impact in terms of reaching an audience. In a country of 17 795 000 only 2% of the population have access to the Internet.
The debate on whether anyone can be a journalist has been particularly strong in the United States, where San Francisco video blogger and media maker Josh Wolf was jailed after refusing to turn over video footage to federal authorities. After spending 226 days in jail, Wolf was dubbed the “longest-jailed journalist in American history.” But apart from the obvious question of interference – the issue arose: Was he actually a journalist?
Jennifer Woodard Maderazo a San Francisco-based writer, blogger and associate editor of PBS MediaShift says: “As more and more people are persecuted for expressing themselves online, it seems that the debate about semantics should be the least of our worries.”
Where does the buck stop?
And closer to home, Sifiso Dlamini a former editor of the Swazi Observer says that everyone is free to air their views. He agrees however that despite certain protections, mainstream media comes under a fair amount of pressure. With members of the public playing an ever increasing role by contributing to mainstream media, the question of responsibility becomes important. Are citizen journalists responsible reporters, and who is responsible if a ‘citizen journalist is hurt or caught in the crossfire?
Sonja Boezak a freelance researcher in the development communications sector says there can be no question of responsibility if one is acting voluntarily and believes the public space allows anyone to respond.
Jayshree Pather, project director at the Media Development and Diversity agency agrees. She says that in training programmes run by the MDDA people are taught about responsible reporting and the risks involved. The aim is to empower them to decide for themselves.
Dan Gilmore, author of We the Media suggests media corporates who use content from citizen reporters, and who benefit financially from such content, should be remunerating the contributors.
An international perspective
Radio France International’s Phillippe Couve says while there is no specific code for journalists in France, there are laws that dictate what the press is able to publish. There are cases, (although unusual), where journalists may be obliged to divulge their sources and while it may be a rare occurrence, there have been cases of judges coming to a newsroom to demand access to a source.
Maureen Griscott, a student at the School of Journalism in Paris, and intern at Serongwanyane Tech in South Africa Says all journalists working in and out of mainstream media must be accountable but it is not necessary for those outside the traditional framework to be protected by the law.
Recently, non-profit journalism advocacy group Reporters Without Borders announced the Press Freedom Index - its list of countries in which journalists are most threatened - found that bloggers and other online media are just as threatened as traditional journalists by governments who look to stifle the information they publish.
Laws cant or shouldnt protect all ?
According to the organisation, some 26 bloggers and online journalists have been jailed worldwide since September of 2006. Mapule Mahlatsi, the head of radio at the SABC says: “Journalists work within certain framework and boundaries.” Therefore the protections, limitations and liberties granted to them are different to bloggers.
Jeanette Quarcoopome the programme administrator for the Media Foundation for West Africa agrees: “While new media initiatives are exciting and innovative, we should start to think about how to deal with issues of irresponsible reporting, and protection of free speech for example.”
In Ghana, Jeanette’s country, criminal liable laws against journalists do not exist anymore. Journalist activism during the 1990 elections pressured parliament to take a unanimous decision to repeal them. There is also the National Media Commission that considers complaints by the public against the media. In addition the Ghana Journalists Associations’s Ethics committee addresses infractions amongst its ranks.
Phillippe Couve says: “The ecosystem of life is changing. Before the web, there wass always a scarcity of resources, limited space for example. There was a need for the media to make choices about what to publish. With the internet, space is unlimited and tools are readily accessible. Now the people make the choice. It is not the same.”
Perhaps that is the key to the issue of who is a journalist and what limitations and protections are afforded. Everything has changed, and nothing will ever be the same again. Society therefore should consider a whole new approach. Can anyone be a journalist? - edited by Rezaa Kasu
[Sources: Jennifer Woodard - Even in U.S., Bloggers Get Little Protection ;Reporters without Borders; Josh Wolf - Freedomedia ; delegates at Highway Africa]
