A Moment Of Silence

Michael Hedges May 3, 2011 Follow on Twitter

The new century brought with it a whole new media context. News cycles are faster than the electrons in the chips that power new technology. At the same time clouds of intimidation and corruption veil the ideal of press freedom. It deserves a moment of silence, a pause for reflection.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated each May to draw attention to media’s role in democracy and human rights under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). A special conference associated with World Press Freedom Day takes place in Washington DC (May 1-3). The theme is 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers. The United Nations in New York notes (May 4th) the 20th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, which enshrined “the importance of an independent press for the development and preservation of democracy and economic development.”

Just ahead of World Press Freedom Day, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree (April 29) further locking down any hint of disruptive media behavior, banning “anything that causes harm to the general interest of the country.”  Popular unrest boiling through North Africa to the Gulf States won’t be coming to the conservative kingdom and regions biggest oil producer.  US-based media watcher Freedom House, which released its Freedom of the Press 2011: A Global Survey of Media Independence coincident with World Press Freedom Day, continues to assess media in Saudi Arabia as “not free,” ranking below Zimbabwe and above Rwanda.

“All those responsible for publication are banned from publishing ... anything contradicting Islamic Sharia Law; anything inciting disruption of state security or public order or anything serving foreign interests that contradict national interests,” reported state news agency SPA. Punishments for violating the decree start at fines up to SAR 500,000 (about €90,000) and closing the offending media outlet to banning an offending writer from ever contributing to any media. Whippings and stonings are sure to follow.

“In 2010, we saw how readily governments in the Middle East turned to repression of the media,” noted Freedom House managing editor Karin Deutsch Karlekar in the report (May 2). “The deterioration in the region, which was already restrictive in terms of media freedom, demonstrates the centrality of freedom of expression to broader democratic rights, and may have contributed to the calls for reform that swept through a number of countries in early 2011.”

Major media groups, media watchers and international organizations have recognized World Press Freedom Day, each in their own way. All have noted that recent times have not been bright for media freedoms, from violent attacks on journalists and judicial restrictions on reporting to direct government curbs on media independence and media concentration issues.  A moment of silence “to mark the sacrifices made by journalists in the name of press freedom” was called by BBC Global News Director Peter Horrocks for 1200 CET May 3rd.

“Some might see this as just a gesture, which will surely not be observed by all,” said Horrocks’ statement (May 3). “But the turmoil, anguish and the death toll from the Arab Spring revolts and revolutions have brought home as rarely before how critical the role of journalists is, in not just doing a job, but reporting on events which decide the fate of nations.”

“The European Union (EU) pays particular tribute to the invaluable work of the many journalists and media professionals around the world who with dedication and courage contribute to revealing the truth about unfolding events,” said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton in an official Declaration. “In many cases, (media workers) are targeted by those who dislike the nature of the information they reveal, suffering arrest or kidnapping, torture or killing.”

Violence against media workers in Mexico associated with drug cartels is as extreme as any war zone. The 2011 Freedom House report now rates Mexico “not free,” ranked below Pakistan and above Cambodia. “Not since 2006 have so many countries in the (Americas) region been designated Not Free,” said the Freedom House statement. Honduras joined Mexico in the “not free” category.

Other threats to media freedom have risen to give pause. “In transition countries, politicians used to be the main source of threats and pressures,” noted South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) (May 3). “This is no longer the case. Nowadays, threats also come from business groups, often linked to mafia-style business dealings.”

“The media is one of the strongest weapons in showing the world the devastating effects of corruption and shining a light on those who would use their entrusted power for personal gain,” said corruption watchdog Transparency International (May 3). “An independent and free media is a cornerstone of democracy and a crucial component of a healthy governance system. But the methods used to silence journalists are real and many: criminal defamation, harassment and even death.”

Freedom House ranked media in Bulgaria worst in the EU, 77th and tied with East Timor and India. Hungarian media was singled out as showing “significant decline” along with EU neighbor Ukraine. “I stand up for and will uphold the independence of Ukrainian mass media, “ said the pause-inducing World Press Freedom Day statement of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych.

“We must assure the completion of investigations into the cases related to the disappearance of journalists. The power will create conditions for journalists to feel free in our country. Independent Ukraine is impossible without independent press.”

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” –Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

See also in ftm Knowledge

Press/Media Freedom - Challenges and Concerns

Press and media freedom worldwide is facing challenges from many corners. As authoritarian leaders impose strict control over traditional and new media with impunity, media watchers have concerns for democracy. This ftm Knowledge file accounts the troubles of this difficult decade. 88 pages. PDF (December 2011)

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