The Paradox Of Responsible Journalism And Public Goodwill

It has been argued that a responsible press needs a responsive public. Thus, there’s the need for a good relationship between the press and the public without the former compromising on professional standards – this is where a paradox begins.

Responsible journalism is a powerful tool – it gives confidence to the public to trust the journalist. The journalist’s raw material is information; when the public can’t volunteer information the journalist might be better off doing something else. It also enhances the public to stand up for the journalist’s safety and protection. Journalists’ safety is critical to two crucial fundamental human rights: right to freedom of expression and freedom of information.

On a different score, irresponsible journalism can engender violent attacks from the public. It leads to little or no public support for the safety and protection of journalists and an increasing mistrust for journalists. “The State of Journalists’ Safety in Ghana” (2005 – 2014) a research of the Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA) confirms that irresponsible journalism is one of the reasons why the public attacks journalists. It notes: “sadly, these days when a journalist is attacked, many people will cite unprofessional conduct of journalists to justify why the journalist may have been attacked or harassed, rather than openly condemning such attacks”.

The paradox begins when in the quest of pursuing responsible journalism, the same public attacks journalists who expose injustice – thus, the public tend to define responsible journalism on their terms. Sadly, responsible journalism can’t be defined by their whims and caprices as Gerald Priestland a former BBC correspondent once stated: “journalists belong to the gutter because that is where the ruling classes throw their dirty secrets”

The question that pops up is, “should responsible journalism be all about exposing rot?” The answer is yes, only if that rot puts the public at a disadvantaged position – a responsible journalist will not, and should not invade people’s privacy except on the basis of proven conflict of interest between a public servant’s private life and public conduct”

Public interest is basis of responsible journalism – responsible journalism should provide general information, separate facts from comment, and provide a forum for the sharing of ideas. It should be impartial, fair, objective, and accurate and balance in its reportage. It should strictly adhere to professional code of ethics, respect the rights of others, and accept publication of rejoinders from people who feel aggrieved by articles of the journalist. It should influence, reflect and mould public opinion; and be the voice of the voiceless, marginalised and socially handicapped.

A common thread seems to run through the above: the public is at the centre of responsible journalism – this public cuts across all classes of people; albeit, the responsible journalist should not seek to please anybody.

Various factors hinder the journalist from becoming responsible. In his book, “Responsible Journalism and Quest for Professional Standards in Ghana” Dr. Africanus Diedong, enumerates the following: media ownership, news sources and power elites, pressure from advocates and special interest groups, and advertising pressures and editorial autonomy. Each of these push the journalist to the brink of professional dilemma – to be the voice of the voiceless, marginalised, and socially handicapped, or the piper that plays the paymaster’s tune

A United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO, March 2017) Colloquium concept note: “Journalism under fire: challenges of our times” it was noted that “modern societies cannot function and develop without free, independent and professional journalism, based on principles such as fact checking, reflecting a plurality of informed opinions, protecting the confidentiality of media sources, and ensuring journalists’ safety”

It goes without saying that responsible journalism is a sure way of gaining public goodwill since it is at the core of functioning and development of societies.

Responsible journalism must be held in high esteem such that the public will see the media as a mirror; despite a pleasant image or otherwise. Assassinated Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunghe once noted: “The free media serve as a mirror in which the public can see itself sans mascara and styling gel. From us you learn the state of your nation, and especially its management by the people you elected to give your children a better future. Sometimes the image you see in that mirror is not a pleasant one. But while you may grumble in the privacy of your armchair, the journalists who hold the mirror up to you do so publicly and at great risk to themselves. That is our calling, and we do not shirk it”.

Responsible journalism is the trump card that engenders a responsive and hospitable public towards the press – albeit, it must be noted that journalists don’t please anybody, but pursue professionalism.

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