World Press Freedom Day is an important for media houses all over the world Photo The Economic Times
World – Each year, a different subject for World Press Freedom Day is chosen to highlight a certain aspect of press freedom. ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’ is the topic for 2023.
World Press Freedom Day is held to remind people about the importance of freedom of the press. It is also a day to remind governments and the public of the important role that the media plays in our everyday lives.
Each year, a different subject for World Press Freedom Day is chosen to highlight a certain aspect of press freedom. ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’ is the topic for 2023.
Journalists take risks to bring the public the news. The impact they have on the world can be changing yet their work goes unnoticed and is forgotten. Had it not been for not a journalist, Thabo Bester may still be running freely across South Africa. these types of contributions make journalists important to the world and this day so important, explained the, Executive Director at South African National Editors’ Forum, Reggy Moalusi.
“The work that the media does, the work that journalists do all over the world, it’s a work of critical importance. It’s work that needs to be respected, upheld and supported. It’s work that we in the media are passionate about but on the same graph we need to realise as much as we are passionate about the work that we do, there are those who don’t like what we do. They are those who hate what we do, those who want to shut us up, those who want to kill us and those who want to shut down our media houses.”
The life of journalists around the world
South Africa has freedom of press which can’t be said for other countries around the world. While Moalusi agreed that women journalists are harassed and treated unfairly, South African journalists don’t face the same dangers as others around.
“We haven’t quite seen journalists being killed, journalists being jailed. In most parts of the African continent that’s exactly what happens. In some parts of Asia like in the Philippines there are critical journalists that are not free that are always harassed. If you go to South America, Mexico is one of the worst. There’s still a lot to do across the world.”
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is currently being held in Belmarsh Prison in London. He is awaiting extradition to the USA after publishing a series of leaks provided by the US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. His story is one that has been told countless times but there are many others like him. Such treatment of journalists should not be happening, stressed Moalusi. No journalist should be imprisoned for speaking and publishing the truth.
On the other hand, journalists should refrain from being biased. While it is important for one to have their own views and thoughts on the world, it is critical as a journalist, to not let those views cloud one’s judgement and seep into their work.
“We are taught in journalism school that you need to be fair. You need to be balanced … Any self-respecting journalist shouldn’t be leaning towards any political faction. Journalists should be able to report fairly on everything and they should do so in a balanced manner. Editors need to train our journalists to do so. That’s what we need to fight on a daily basis. That’s what you need to keep track of.”
Media houses and journalists owe the public the unbiased truth of what is happening in and around their country and the world. In return, they are owed respect from the public as the job of a journalist can be quite dangerous and difficult. When journalists are unbiased and the governments do not pose a threat to them, it benefits all in society greatly.
The hear more from Reggy Moalusi about the importance of World Press Freedom Day, listen to the podcast here:
