The passing of the controversial Media Bill that has journalists and thousands of other Kenyans up in arms, has a sad ring to it. It is laced with the most potent concoction Kenya has seen in years: It is destined to kill true democracy.
A clause in the Media Bill forces journalists to divulge their source of information in the event that their stories ‘stir a court case’.
The Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.
Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.
Part of the SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists) code of ethics (that is voluntarily embraced by thousands of writers, editors and other news professionals) states that:
Journalists should:
• Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
• Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrong doing.
• Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.
• Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
• Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
• Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story.
• Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.
And as a bottom line: A journalist should be vigilant and courageous about holding those in power accountable.
The purpose of journalism is to provide people with the information they need to be free and self-governing. To fulfill this task, journalism’s first obligation is to the truth and its first loyalty is to the citizens. Period. This means that nothing should be allowed to come in-between.
The Bill states that journalists will be required to name the sources to their stories should the stories they write warrant a court case. This, to me, is tantamount to paralyzing and curtailing media activity. Why do I say this? Sources of information are the lifeblood of journalists whether working in print or broadcast industries.
Who would want to volunteer ‘sensitive information’ to the media knowing too well that they could be exposed to the public should someone find the story unflattering and drag the media outlet to court?
Does this mean, then, that the office of the ‘good old’ whistle-blower is in its death throes?
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