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ibrahim
Joined: Jan 27, 2005
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Is there Respect for Journalists?
August 16, 2007 - 08:24 AM
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THE landscape of media freedom in Africa in the past few months is gloomy. In Somalia, six journalists have been killed, in Eritrea at least eight have fled the country and two others are missing and feared dead. In July, two journalists in Congo were arrested for offending the president, and in Nairobi, hundreds of Kenyan journalists yesterday marched in silent protest against a new media bill that would force them to disclose their sources for any story that gives rise to a legal dispute. If the bill is passed, freedom of expression will be at risk.
In Uganda, many have been beaten up, threatened, intimidated, insulted or had their equipment destroyed by various groups. On Tuesday, a gang in Nakivubo beat up a New Vision journalist. His ‘crime’ was taking a picture of a channel that was pouring sewerage into Nakivubo Settlement School.
Journalism is a cardinal pillar of democracy that keeps alive free flow of information. Journalists play the watchdog role for society. Journalists may get it wrong from time to time, but they are not always entirely to blame. The Access to Information Act is in place but it is not operational. Though on paper public information is open, it is still extremely difficult having access to basic information in this country. Statistics are scarce and often treated as classified.
In most cases, only the permanent secretaries or ministers can talk to the press and they are not readily available. Journalists are left with no option, but to piece up bits and pieces of information, with the risk of making errors.
On our part, as journalists we need to exercise uttermost professionalism to dislodge critics. There is need to be thorough, accurate, balanced, fair, honest and resilient to ensure that detractors of democracy are not armed with excuses to fight press freedom.
For the press to play an effective facilitating role to democracy, it is important and in everybody’s interest, that journalists be allowed to do their work without intimidation because that is the only way information will flow to serve the communities.
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Shawn S.
Joined: Jul 9, 2007
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
August 16, 2007 - 02:20 PM
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I do not know the journalism situation in Africa very well. In terms of rich America though, I find that many journalists don't deserve respect. There are many journalists in this world who do great work for wvereyone. And with the internet now their stories can reach all corners of the world. But I find many small-time journalists don't deserve respect as they create news, report it at biased extremes, or harass those they want to report on.
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Maureen Wanjeri
Joined: Aug 7, 2007
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
August 17, 2007 - 04:47 AM
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Unfortunately, journalists aren't respected and I think its partly their fault because some of them just fabricate lies to make news. But they do have a right and they need to fight for their freedom as it was witnessed in Nairobi when the journalists took to the streets and marched in silence for their freedom. Its quite sad.
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Serge Mario
Joined: Dec 7, 2005
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
August 17, 2007 - 07:26 AM
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journalism as other professions such as teaching,medecine ...suffers from a disease called " lack of vocation" in which adventurers find themselves writing , criticising or making reports without professionnalism.People just think that one can be a journalist just because one knows how to write or....
With this regard there should beno respect for journalists.
In the other hand Journalism is a profession and, in such a training must be undergone.Unfortunately, in some third world countries, we observe that those "our mirrors"=journalists are persecuted, executed, ostracised... just because of their opinion , which is not good at all for the society.Journalists like teachers or physicians... deserve respect when they are presenting qualities related to their profession
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Serge Mario
Joined: Dec 7, 2005
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
August 17, 2007 - 07:27 AM
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journalism as other professions such as teaching,medecine ...suffers from a disease called " lack of vocation" in which adventurers find themselves writing , criticising or making reports without professionnalism.People just think that one can be a journalist just because one knows how to write or....
With this regard there should beno respect for journalists.
In the other hand Journalism is a profession and, in such a training must be undergone.Unfortunately, in some third world countries, we observe that those "our mirrors"=journalists are persecuted, executed, ostracised... just because of their opinion , which is not good at all for the society.Journalists like teachers or physicians... deserve respect when they are presenting qualities related to their profession
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Hayk
Joined: Dec 20, 2005
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
September 1, 2007 - 06:16 AM
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This thread is being moved to the Arts and Media board where it belongs..
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Amala Noor
Joined: Sep 19, 2007
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
September 19, 2007 - 06:08 PM
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Oh, I hope so. The written word is a powerful medium. In my own religion, Islam, the very first revelation was about the pen and the use of language as gifts from God. Words still inspire and the pen is definitely mightier than the sword. I am particularly interested in independent and community journalism because it allows people to tell their own stories; they do not have to rely on others who may be biased. I recently began publishing a blog that looks at global issues from a youth perspective. It is critically important for us to connect with youth and prepare them to tell their side(s) of the story.
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Adeshola
Joined: Aug 20, 2005
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
September 19, 2007 - 06:32 PM
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In Nigeria- The answer is No.
I have spent the last one hour trying to write down my thoughts on this topic.
But...
The situation is quite bad in Nigeria.
This post was edited on: 2007-09-19 at 06:40 PM by: Adeshola
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Melanie LeBlanc
Joined: Sep 25, 2007
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Re: Is there Respect for Journalists?
October 9, 2007 - 10:41 AM
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I don't think Journalists are respected especially when you're a young aspiring Journalist.
Every time I send out something, I ALWAYS get the same response
for ex)
"We here at ______________ think you are very talented but unfortunately....."
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