World Press Freedom Day: Igniting The Power Of The Ink

The 3^rd of May every year is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the gallant men and women of the press fraternity ,who are risking their lives to bring us information we may never had the benefit of Knowing. The day offers us an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and also to reflect on the current state of the practice of journalism with focus on the independents and safety of journalist. This year, journalists around the world, officials of the UN, Government officials and other stakeholders gathered in Accra, Ghana to celebrate this day.

The need for information has become a basic necessity in this 21^st century, thus the press have become one of the most significant institutions in the world today. Indeed Journalists do not just tell stories, they are changing the lives of many around the world. From the darkest corners of the world, most secretive places ,to war torn areas like Syria, Yemen among others, Journalists have gone the extra mile to bring to light the plight of the forgotten masses in an attempt to reshape their fragile destinies.

In the era of growing weak state institutions in many countries, the watchdog role of the press, has become even more critical. The Political and corporate leaders who have become ‘’demi gods’’ and are sacrificing the greater good on the alter for their self seeking agenda, have been held to account only through the bravery of the press men and women. They do this mostly at the expense of their lives, indeed they deserved to be celebrated.

It is however unfortunate that, despite the critical role the press is playing in the world today, they are being targeted and killed for simply doing their job in service to mankind. Indeed, a few days to this year’s press freedom day, 10 journalist were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan. This dastardly act was allegedly committed by the Taliban. This and the many other acts of terrorism recorded previously against journalists in other places like Syria,Iraq, among others, must end now. It is critical to remind the rebels attacking journalists that, the work of journalists is critical to even the rebels themselves. Without journalists, they will struggle to get the attention they are seeking.

It is even more sad that in the world today, journalists have suffered in the hands of some states and state agencies, more than they have in the hands of terrorist organizations. States that have the primary responsibility to guard and protect the freedom of the press, have become the worst culprits in the attack on same. The recent brutal attack on a Multimedia journalist by some officers of the Ghana Police Service was an attack on press freedom. Also, Some governments have used state resources and institutions like the security services to intimidate and sometimes killed journalist who are only doing their job. The unacceptable state sponsored crackdown on journalists must be a source of worry to all. The arrest and detainment of journalists by the Egyptian government and the current detention of two Reuters news agency journalist in Myanmar are just a few of the many cases of state sponsored ‘’defilement’’ of the fundamental principles of press freedom. The UN must demonstrate its resolve to protecting journalist by calling these countries to order.

Whilst we continue to fight for the freedom of the press, it is important to remind journalists to uphold the highest professional standard. They must realize that, their service is to humanity. They must not allow themselves to be used by self seeking people to promote their parochial interest. Thy should endeavour to use the ink to foster a good relationship between communities. The press have been given a power that can cause destruction in society, but they have a greater power that can also be harnessed to ensure development and they must therefore choose the latter. In an increasingly insecure society, the press must play an effective role in fighting crime and other vices eating into the fabric of the society.

It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the freedom of the press, because a world without an effective free press is like a dark room without a candle.

Author; Ibrahim Suhuyini
Ibrahimsuhuyini.blogspot.com