PROTECTING citizens against any form of harassment guarantees the enjoyment of their rights in any country, particularly when they are discharging their duties. It also provides for their active participation in democracy and good governance.
Of specific concern are the increasing cases of media practitioners being harassed or attacked for whatever reason, and this should not be allowed to continue. In this vein, the announcement by Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Joseph Katema that the Government is doing everything possible to protect media personnel from physical harassment is welcome.
It is indeed pleasing that the Government is taking steps in its attempts to try and find ways of protecting media personnel from being harassed, and is doing this in consultation with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA).
Journalists comprise that group of the citizenry that usually gets caught up in various forms of harassment. Yet the purpose of journalism is not to please anyone or antagonise any groups of people.
Journalists are there to report, investigate and analyse issues. They inform the public about politics, religion, the arts and sports, among a variety of issues.
In addition, pen pushers entertain although they may sometimes annoy some sections of society but, most important of all, they are ‘public watchdogs’ who are sometimes referred to as the ‘Fourth Estate’.
Freedom of the media is, therefore, essential for the protection of all other human rights. Making facts known to the public is often the first, and an essential step towards redressing human rights violations and holding those in power accountable.
Threats against one journalist can have the devastating effect of silencing many others and if left unchecked, this trend can lead to victims fearing to report or cover public gatherings where they fear their safety is not guaranteed.
This is why Dr Katema’s announcement that the Government is working out modalities of ensuring the safety of journalists comes in handy.
The right of journalists to carry out their work under safe conditions, without fear of being harassed, beaten or killed, is of paramount importance in the area of Press freedom, as well as freedom
of expression.
Those harassing journalists must understand that media personnel equally need special attention. Violence against journalists is an indictment of basic democratic values such as free expression and the right to information.
Therefore, it is gratifying that the Government is committed to treating such violence as crimes aimed at undermining public order and democratic governance.
The overall conclusion is that safety of the media personnel is a precondition for a free media. Without safe working conditions, journalists cannot write freely. To defend these very important human rights – free media and free expression – authorities and other key players need to put their heads together in this noble cause.
Journalism is an important profession. It can be seen as a skill, a talent, even a passion in a way – a passion to tell the truth, to inform, to reach out to others, to communicate news using any means necessary. So why is this passion, this profession so fiercely attacked, challenged and perceived as controversial in some quarters?
Over the years many journalists world-over have fallen prey to unnecessary harassment, all this in their pursuit of telling a story, telling the truth and acknowledging the right to be heard.
The high number of violent attacks against journalists has been a cause for concern and, as Dr Katema describes such conduct, this is unacceptable wherever it occurs and should stop. OPINION