JaRistotle’s Jottings | Is Our Press Really Free?

Jamaica's elevation to sixth position in the recently published World Press Freedom Index is a milestone achievement. While the local media must be congratulated, credit must also be given to our political leadership for their generally mature attitude towards the press. That said, I am inclined to ask whether this elevated rating is predicated on an absence of restrictions and abuse because the press is not as pressing as it should be, thus negating any need for belligerence towards journalists or media outlets?

The index rates some 180 countries in relation to, inter alia, the degree to which opinions are represented in the media; media independence and transparency vis-·-vis various sources of power and influence; the impact of legislation on media activities; and the level of abuses and violence levelled against journalists and media outlets.

While we have not had any recent cases of journalists and media outlets being subjected to violence, there have been occasions when rebuke and crass behaviour have been directed at journalists and instances of the press being 'sanctioned' because others were doodling or chatting nonsense. Fortunately, these occurrences did not significantly or specifically affect their overall functionality.

Concerns

As it relates to media[sr1] independence and transparency vis-·-vis various sources of power and influence and the degree to which opinions can be represented in the media, I have my concerns.

As watchdogs for freedom and democracy, it is expected that journalists will identify and pursue pervasive issues such as corruption, waste of public resources and non-performance on the part of public officials, and that media houses will actively support the publication and broadcast of such stories. I don't see that happening enough, and the question is why?

Putting aside legal impedi-ments such as the provisions of the Defamation Act and the pending Data Protection Bill, for now, as these issues are being well ventilated, I ask myself if there are other factors which have the potential to affect the representation of not just opinions but also 'preferably left unearthed' facts.

On the one hand, the economic situation in Jamaica has made it quite challenging for media outlets to garner advertising income in general. Picture their dilemma in cases where stories slated for publication or broadcast could prove detrimental to major advertisers. Then there is the issue of agendas on the part of the executives of media houses and individual journalists.

In the same light, power brokers in the political realm could exercise sway over media outlets to quash certain stories. This has become an increasingly topical issue in the United States in relation to President Trump and reports of adverse stories being buried whether through 'hush money' or errant favours. What then if a flurry of biting exposes were to be released; would we see the political directorate resorting to obstructive measures?

There is another perspective that needs to be considered, and that is the situation of our journalists. First, we should consider industry-wide training, experience and working conditions, as these influence attitudes, 'stick-to-itiveness' and willingness to challenge the status quo. How indemnified are they against the whims and fancies of the media houses or the chagrin of those they report on? In my view, the lack of a representative body, as in a union, is a matter for dire consideration.

Again, our favourable press freedom rating is commendable; however, it does not mean that our press is incontrovertibly free. Yes, they have made their voices heard, but the real litmus test comes with further challenging the status quo, probing and exposing without repercussion. Are we there?