Improve media standards, but don't curtail freedom

The government of Trinidad and Tobago is taking a professional approach to dealing with the media fiasco created by a visit to a radio station by Prime Minister Patrick Manning to complain about what he considered “unprofessional conduct” by two broadcasters who were subsequently disciplined by the management of the organization.

And it has has asked media icon Ken Gordon to chair a review committee on the media, primarily because of Mr. Gordon’s stature not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but in the Caribbean and the wider global media community.

While I still hold the view that Mr. Manning was wrong to personally "drop in" on the radio station, I also acknowledge that media have a responsibility to be fair and accurate and in Trinidad and Tobago that quality is wanting among many media practitioners.

However, I also hold the view that media must be free from fear and that Mr. Manning's visit sent all the wrong signals.

It is no secret that governments everywhere become uncomfortable when they are the subject of severe criticism. It’s a natural reaction. But Mr. Manning’s insistence that he did nothing wrong and that he was exercising his rights just as any other citizen is something the media not accept.

He is NOT an ordinary citizen and whether he intended it or not, his visit sent a clear signal that he would not tolerate criticism.

At the same time, media must ensure that they accept their professional responsibility. Unless truthfulness, responsibility and a commitment to fairness and balance guide their work, the government would justify the introduction of regulatory measures to keep the media in line.

And that’s what media must worry most about.

Without a doubt there is a fair amount of irresponsibility in the Trinidad and Tobago media. Too often citizens are exposed to unprofessional conduct from a new generation of media personnel who have no regard for truth, fairness, balance or common decency. Some of what passes for journalism borders on obscenity and hate.

The government, the opposition, businesspeople, ordinary citizens have all been victims of the media onslaught; the biggest culprit in the media is talk radio. But an analysis of media content would demonstrate that there is still a fair level of professional journalism and little evidence for a government minister to suggest that the Trinidad and Tobago media are the worst in the world.

The proliferation of radio stations has caused a significant decline in broadcast and journalistic standards and that some media managers are content to put anybody in front of a mike without any consideration for the tremendous responsibility the job demands.

In this context I fully support any measure for media to improve their standards if media are to continue to be the guardians of democracy or a fourth or fifth estate. However no government has the right to take away or infringe in any way on the right of the media to operate freely.

The Trinidad and Tobago constitution enshrines the right to a free press and the freedom of expression; media must accept no less.

And the government of the day must must face media scrutiny of its affairs. In a democracy the media are there to seek out the issues on behalf of the people and report on them as fairly and objectively as they can so that the people can form an informed opinion on which they can act. That’s how democracy works.

Democracy can only flourish when there is a free and independent media. Every government - especially in small emerging nations such as ours - owes a responsibility to the people to ensure that they have access a free and unfettered media

Journalism's first obligation is to the truth and its first loyalty is to the citizens. It's practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover and must at all times serve as an independent monitor of power.

Media must also accept that their role in a democratic society is to provide a forum for public criticism and compromise while maintaining a fair and accurate picture of the community they serve. And they must never forget that while they have a right to operate without government hindrance, citizens too - including politicians and the other primary definers of society - have rights which they will defend.

In the final analysis media mirror society, perhaps even define an agenda, but they must never shut out dissent or allow anyone to manipulate media in such a way to prevent today's minority from becoming tomorrow's majority.