Journalists are mostly referred to as the 4th arm of government because of their monitoring role in society.
They are supposed to observe what goes on in the dark and display it; the role is also extended from mere description of issues to conceptualization and analysis of the subject matter so as to help the public and decision makers make the right judgement.
Instead of being protected, they have been brutalized, tortured and abused by various people in their communities.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1945) provides everyone with the right to expression;
“Everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
This task is usually championed by journalists and other activists. It helps the public demand for the fulfillment of the governments or authorities promises; truth and justice; and also for their social- economic and political rights.
It facilitates citizen’s demand to accountability and transparence- the core pillars of good governance.
For any growth of a community, the media has to be granted its full right without any obstruction. Contingents like media laws that infringe on freedom of expression and access to information should be scraped from our system.
Everyone has a right to know about his/ her country’s governance. This gives the population the popular constitutional right of supremacy- “Power Belongs to the People”, even when they can’t exercise it!
Most developed countries have realized the role of media in development, therefore provide favorable atmosphere for it to operate well.
If you analyse the countries that are on top in suppression of this right, their investment levels are still rated at the bottom of the world records, and the majority of these are in the sub- Sahara countries.
Uganda has promulgated and put in place a law (Access to Information Act) that helps to promote its citizen’s right to information. But as many African countries, this law is not even known within the Ministry of Information and major departments of Internal Affairs Ministry!
Some countries can never tolerate critics; they forget that both positive and negative critics can open room for positive change that may lead to growth and development. Critics help governments identify their weaknesses and fill the gaps.
In Uganda, activists are prosecuted on fabricated treason and rape charges; others are being labeled psychologically or mentally disturbed and dumped in Butabika Hospital among the mad. This in addition to the “prescribed treatments” results to mental misnomer.
For D R Congo, the bandits or unpaid military can be used to deal with you. Chui was killed 2007 for blocking the release of unsafe consumable products into the market. To me, he is a hero who died saving and protecting the life of many Congolese people.
Reports have also indicated recent incidents of torture and brutalization on Journalists in Rwanda and Somalia by the authorities that should have protected them! All these are just to cover the dirt hidden in some official or personnel’s deeds.
To quote Delai Lama, “Our prime purpose in this world is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them”. We have continued to have different people of different minds and beliefs; some of them have evil hearts, and others great faith and humanity.
Protection and promotion of the poor and vulnerable is our core responsibility in this world.
Adequate measures to minimize these abuse, neglects and violations should be put in place and enforced by all states, international and regional bodies. Activists should be supported and encouraged to foster the cause for peace and stability as well as human rights growth in our communities.
Issues that affect the wellbeing and development of the population like global warming, maternal and public health, education, safety and good governance should be encouraged in the media.
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