 |
 |
| Journalism
Ethics and the Wicked Media in Somalia: Restricting Anonymous
Sources For the last decade, the importance of independent media in development, democracy and human rights implementation throughout the world and Africa in particular has been a case for discussion. It is accepted that media can play an effective role in development, as the media promote leadership accountability and foster economic development by providing timely and accurate reports throughout the globe. We see how business coverage has created competition for international media outlets such as Reuters, Bloomberg, the Financial Times and other reputable information sources, prompting them to send their reporters to faraway destinations across the globe. Promising reports are now coming from Africa, aired by the international media, which have long covered only the negative side of the continent - the wars, coups, famines and droughts that have distorted the image of African people. As they cover the developments that officials and decision-makers cannot immediately realize, journalists' consistent exposure brings about solutions or at least instigates public debates on the prevailing matters of the period. However, not all media outlets generate progressive results. The competition to report on first-hand news stories, and hiring numerous operatives with different motives, makes news media a double-edged sword. Media coverage can put thousands of lives in danger and can save thousands others at the same time. When "ethnic violence" erupted in Kenya following the election dispute between president Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, Kenyan media outlets – known to be leaders in Africa – refrained from reporting live on the violence, and from referring to the violence in ethnic terms, in an attempt at to avoid encouraging genocide. This move seems like an attempt to avoid the pitfall made by ill-advised media institutions that contributed to the Rwandan genocide of 1994-5 by calling the victims 'cockroaches' and encouraging their massacre. Kenya's media deserves a peace prize for taking such a move towards pushing for reconciliation and saving the people of Kenya. To guide this double-edged method of journalism to its superlative practice, media and law professionals should endorse well-defined ethical principles to govern media and avert destructive media usage by those, driven by concealed ambitions, who long to see the worst. Some ethical codes are widely accepted and obligate institutions to adopt further principles to ensure their credibility, and fortify the confidence and satisfaction of their audiences. This has made some media outlets more prominent and reliable than others. The Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists, adopted by the Second World Congress of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in 1954, and amended by the Federation's 18th Congress in 1986, is proclaimed as a standard of professional conduct for journalists. It states that "Respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of the journalist." The Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is compressed in four main principles: Seeking the truth and reporting it, minimizing harm, acting independently, and assuming accountability. In Somalia, the media – whether it is local or international – has become a divisive, multipurpose tool used by rivaling clans and groups. Somalis are known for using propaganda in their deep-rooted hostility. Somali pastoralists have been circulating infamous accounts, one against another, for their water and pasture based conflicts, for centuries. In this digital era, the propaganda has not ceased. The internet has played an important role in the continued disinformation, as the Diaspora is now involved in this modern kind of distortion and defamation. Unbelievably, Somali news websites number in the hundreds (if not thousands), as each clan has launched its own website to relay its political stances and propagandas, some written in foreign languages and most administered outside the country by the Diaspora. The local radio stations (mostly FM) and newspapers also advocate a clan or a political group, which means neutral individuals have few options when it comes to seeking the impartial "truth." Indeed, it is nearly impossible in this time of war. In Mogadishu, conflict reemerges between the Interim Government and the local media over allegations of misinformation, which lead to media houses being shut down by the government. After condemnations by human rights and media watchdogs, they reappear. But as the same allegations arise time and again, the conflict never ends. This is not, however, a big deal for a country that knows little about the rule of the law and has been in a state of lawlessness for a decade and half. But my heartrending concern is how the international media engages in Somalia, which is affected by the bilateral deception of Somalia's conflicting parties. I had been following this ridiculous misinformation for a long time, until I came across a repulsive story reported by Iran-based Press TV on Friday, the 22nd of February 2008, entitled "Ethiopian Gen. slaps Somali President." When I initially saw the story on Google news search, it really attracted my attention, and I hope this was among the values that pushed the TV to broadcast the account. They story says an Ethiopian General had slapped the Somalia President twice on the face and threatened to kill him after a disagreement over some issues, and that his threat prompted the president to ask the African Union Peacekeepers for protection, which they said may cause a conflict between Ethiopian troops and AMISOM! To spice up its false report, the television cited "officials" as its sources, but only quoted one anonymous Somali official. I couldn't believe the reporting, as I had previously read the "aim" and "vision" of the Iranian television station, which says, "Press TV delivers unbiased reporting of controversial global news…" I checked my calendar to see if it was April fool's day, but realized it was only February! I immediately mailed the Television's CEO to inquire whether they have solid sources or if they were misled. I received no reply. Some Diaspora Somalis told me that the television station is based in Tehran; therefore, they deliberately propagated the report as an expression of disapproval to the TFG of Somalia. For me personally, the story reminded me of the era of "Yellow Journalism," which involved sensationalism, distorted stories, and misleading images to boost newspaper sales and attract more audiences. In modern media today, quotation of anonymous sources has unnecessarily provoked public dissatisfaction and distrust and put some institutions in trouble. In May 2005, Newsweek met with strong condemnation from US officials on its report of a story that U.S. interrogators humiliated Muslim inmates by placing copies of Islam's holy Koran in washrooms. Newsweek's use of anonymous sources for covering that story was strongly condemned, which led the prestigious publisher to outline new policies for the use of anonymous sources. The prominent journalist Allen H. Neuharth, the founder of US TODAY, called the anonymous source as the "evil of journalism." When Neuharth founded USA TODAY in 1982, he banned the usage of anonymous sources. He says in one of his commentaries: "Most anonymous sources often tell more than they know. Reporters who are allowed to use such sources sometimes write more than they hear. Editors too often let them get away with it. Result: Fiction gets mixed with fact." Though it is recommended to avoid anonymous sources, it might sometimes be inevitable to quote them, particularly in Africa where every person desires to remain unknown in sensitive issues. But quotations that necessitate an investigation or endanger national or global security should be avoided in order to minimize the harm. In Somalia, where lying is as easy as drinking water, special attention should be used. The media must avoid quoting everyone in secret. When hiding their names, everybody should know that Somalis could say and fabricate whatever they want. Thus, disregarding anonymous sources, particularly in Somalia, is crucial for responsible media coverage that contributes to the recuperation of the nation and adheres to internationally accepted values of professional journalism to assure objectivity and accountability and minimize harm. * The writer has covered Somali affairs for the Sub-Saharan Informer, and can be reached at fcgabanow@hotmail.com. The ideas stated here are his own and don't necessarily represent the views of the Sub-Saharan Informer. Source: "The Sub-Saharan Informer "Friday 07/03/2008 Edition.
Gadaal ugu noqon page hore eeMudugonline.com |