Unbarred, Unbiased Journalism and Challenges

 

Journalists work for the coverage of domestic as well as global occurrences to keep people updated about the latest events happening in different parts of the world. The assignments journalists have to carry out as part of their occupations sometimes put their lives at risk. Many journalists face various sorts of hazards during coverage of troublesome situations. They also sometimes get killed while doing their duties. Journalists often become enemies of corrupted people because their reports unveil the illegal things done by gangsters, racketeers, gun dealers and other lawbreakers. In this way journalists put their own lives under threat for upholding the value of truth and justice.

However, it should be remembered that journalists don't only prepare reports and publish news items. Lots of journalists across the globe are actively engaged with scholarly activities like writing articles, giving lectures at universities, speaking at conferences and doing research works. The extent of journalism has become much wider last several years through the expansion of online news portals and satellite television channels. People are now accustomed to both newspapers' printed as well as soft versions. Journalists have certain specialties like politics, international affairs, education, health, literature, business, fashion, sports etc. Some journalists are so versatile and rich with wisdom that they can at a time work on all fields of media.

According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Turkey, India, Pakistan and Mexico were the top ten deadliest countries for reporters during 2016. Some of these countries are war-ravaged ones while some other nations on this list are struggling with the establishment of good governance. For this reason, working as journalists is most perilous in these countries. Particularly countries affected with corruption and political malpractices pose the highest threats to media workers. On the other hand, it's undeniable that freedom of press is one of the most vital things to establish transparency, democracy, social justice and equity in any nation. Strangulating the voice of newspapers and television channels is a common feature in those countries mainly where state mechanism does not soundly function.

Besides propagating news items, newspapers are profound sources of knowledge too. Particularly, in our country English newspapers are very helpful for upgrading the English language skills of students. All newspapers publish several articles on different domestic and foreign incidents everyday which widen the perceptions of readers and keep them linked with the ongoing circumference of the whole world. Students who get prepared for competitive exams read newspapers carefully to learn the latest facts and figures about global politics, economy, sports and other things.

Newspapers and television channels in all countries have provided jobs to millions of people for the posts of editors, reporters, proof readers, graphic designers, correspondents, computer programmers, translators and so on. In this way media agencies play substantial roles for boosting any country's employment sector. For this reason, governments of all countries should uphold a broader approach to freedom of press allowing media agencies to work independently. Freedom of press is one of the yardsticks by which the level of justice and democracy in a state can be measured. Instances of repression and harassment on journalists put dark stains on any country's image.  Unbarred news flow makes people aware of their rights and duties and their roles for developing their state and society. When news agencies face stern regulations in a country, misperceptions and prejudices very easily spread there and human rights, good governance and rule of law also face hurdles under such circumstances.

We have seen in the past some journalists had to leave their own countries being extremely tormented by the ruling authorities and sought asylum in other countries. It happens in countries where governments don't have enough endurance to stand opinions from dissidents. In most of the prosperous countries of the world we find newspapers and television channels working with full independence without trepidations of being gagged by governments. Through unhindered journalism a healthy view exchange ambience develops in a country which is a prerequisite for the prevalence of justice and social fairness.

At the same time, journalists need to remember that they are under ethical obligations to pursue their work with objectivity and truthfulness. Publishing inauthentic reports in order to malign somebody is a vicious malpractice in the arena of news sources which is known as yellow journalism. Some news agencies have brazen leaning towards certain political wings which is not desirable either. It's true that everyone has their own socio-political ideological vision but one's own ideology should not be allowed to obstruct authenticity when it comes to journalism. Being able to work with an unbiased outlook is the most valuable thing for journalists. In the current world plagued with misinterpretations, propaganda, falsehood and malice honest media professionals can play effective roles for exposing the truth by vanquishing the dissemination of fallacies.

From the perspectives of Bangladesh, journalists from our own country as well as from some other states helped us extensively during our glorious Liberation War of 1971. They illustrated the vices, atrocities and war crimes committed by Pakistan army to the global masses and thus acquired universal support in our favor which expedited our independence. People engaged with Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, wartime radio station during 1971 whetted our freedom fighters' confidence and enthusiasm.

French philosopher Voltaire once said, "I may not agree with you but I will dedicate my life to defend your freedom to speak." This maxim by Voltaire adds enormous value to the idea of showing respect to the observations and statements made by people who may be even our opponents. This is one of the best sayings to endorse the significance of freedom of speech. So, let's keep our fingers crossed for unbarred, unbiased journalism everywhere.


Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury is a contributor to
different English newspapers and magazines.