By Dr. Simon El hag Kulusika (Prof),
Aug 06, 2021 — Generally, the Media – both print and electronic or digital as preferred nowadays, have important roles to play in any country, especially where constitutionalism, the rule of law and separation of powers prevail. In an emerging State such as SS, Media play leading roles in the consolidation of the foundation of nation – building and it’s an obligation upon the Media to assume that critical role. This article tries to explore a subject that is not strange to most persons who engage the Media in frank dialogue to discover why Media should be given their rightful position in the governance of SS not as superior and authoritative institutions but rather partners in the transformation of SS so that it proceeds on the path of democracy and development.
This article claims that the roles of Media in SS can be described by the employment of ten specific terms, but there are other terms that could be used to amplify the claims of this article.
There are different kinds of Media organizations that provide information to the public and government. A few of them include Radio, TV, Videos, Cinemas, Newsletter, Referred journals, Magazines, Newspapers, News Agencies, Bloggers, specialized media Bodies, such as Wikipedia, Nyamilepedia, etc. Most countries, if not all, have such a medium of communication to provide informative services to the public including governmental and private institutions to enable the citizens and their government to make informed decisions. The number of these means of communication vary from country to country and how effective they are depends on a number of factors such as status of economic advancement, political tolerance towards the Media and conducive environment to flourish. In 2018 the USA had over 1279 daily newspapers. The leading newspaper in circulation was The US Today with over 2.27 million in circulation, followed by The Daily News based in New York city, with about1.7 million circulation. But the New York Times was reported to have won more Pulitzer prizes than any other media institutions in the USA. The Washington Post had circulation of about 699130. These figures are evidence of the importance of people according to the Media. This article believes that Media have become a fourth force in any polity across the globe.
In respect to the Media in SS, this article is convinced that they can play leading roles in bringing peace and economic and political stability to the new State. To be able to show how Media in SS can be channels of advancement, the article has chosen ten terms to describe the roles of Media in SS.
One of the roles of Media in SS as elsewhere in the world is to inform the public about anything worth knowing. This is done by reporting an important tool for any effective journalism. A Media that reports facts SS they occurred without adding spices to the facts to tender them more attractive or sensational. In this way the Media become sources of information for all including the government. But in certain circumstances, journalists tend to go beyond the required bounds by writing more than is expected resulting in protest from those affected in most cases the state authorities. Where the authorities view that Media institution as an enemy rather than a partner in the pursuit of truth.
It’s claimed that scrutiny is an important aspect of sound journalism. To scrutinize is to probe or investigate or to inquire about something, such as acts or actions or measures or policies if government departments or public bodies, private organizations or evening some deeds or misdeeds of individuals without invading their rights to privacy as by law guaranteed. Scrutiny is essential to facilitate understanding of the thing being scrutinized in order for the public to be aware of the economic or social impacts of the matters under review by the Media. As the reader knows scrutiny involves criticisms. And these could be fair, constructive or in some cases considered by the addresses as offensive leading to punitive measures, especially if the addresses were authorities of the land. The line between fair analysis and critical or offensive investigations is very thin, a matter that journalists must take care of to avoid dramatic retaliations. But scrutiny is essential for unearthing some hidden insights of public measures to serve public interests.
Three other roles of Media may be considered together to save spaces. These are alterations of the ways government and public institutions operate for the common good. Link to the foregoing Is the role of the Media to sensitize citizens of their rights as provided for under the constitution. Or the launch campaigns against illiteracy. It’s also a role to be undertaken by the Media to try to change the mindset of individuals so that they can act together as one people or divided on ethnic lines. This can be achieved through debates where Media act as venues or platforms for dialogues between different classes of society.to enhance solidarity and act together in nation – building. These are critical roles the Media must take them up for SS to move forward.
Media can assume an educative role and also act as Watchdogs to protect the human rights of citizens. Education by Media will involve the developments of programmes that may be aired as kinds of distance or online learning. This will help all classes of persons who were unable to enroll at schools. Acting as Watchdogs is important as the Media have the capacity to examine governmental or public bodies measures to ensure that they are out in place to promote and protect the human rights of citizens. The Media should also act as Watchdogs against those persons who engage in misconduct of all sorts, such as the commission of violent acts that might amount to Gender – based violence. Of course, one does not expect the Media to walk into private homes to report criminal acts committed therein. They should confine their interventions to reporting such matters to the police service that have been mandated to entire dwelling buildings where criminal acts are suspected to be taking place. Acting as Watchdogs has both ways: negative and positive sides. S well positioned Media supported by skilled journalists should be able to avoid the pitfalls of negativity. They should be guided by principles of fairness and the doctrines of objectivity in their endeavors to promote and protect the well – being of citizens.
For the Media in SS to become popular with citizens and the governing Elites, the Media must participate in partisan politics. They must refrain from using hard – words in trying to articulate matters of public concern. It’s provocative to describe a politician such as president or deputy president or minister as a liar or a thief instead of using more palatable expressions to convey the same sense without arousing the fury of the person concerned. It’s necessary for Media to understand that most people do not like to be an object of criticism even if the criticism was objective under the circumstances.
Media in SS are facing lots of challenges ranging from financial problems, difficulties to interact with political parties whose leaders are the products of Khattoum who were nurtured under dictatorial and oppressive systems violative of human rights and freedom of expression that will require time to erase or to moderate and accept true Democratic dispensation where Media will carry on their duties without fear or favour. Until that time arrives all must support Media of SS so that those operating from outside should come back to contribute to the development of SS
Simon El Hag Kulusika is a professor of Laws at Lusaka, Zambia. He can be reached through email at pa352128@gmail.com,
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