----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Uplifting The Press In Goa --------------------------------------- by John Eric Gomes
A free Press is one of the vital and powerful instrument in a democracy. Knowing this, vested interests and power groups will naturally try to manipulate it. The number one State requires a number one Press.
I have been following the Press in Goa for the last 30 years, and I am deeply perturbed. There are some local dailies that censor everything that maybe critical of the government. Others censor anything that is critical of mines/mine owners, yet others it appears pander to certain people in power or sides accordingly. Some are petrified to mention anything regarding Judges and Courts.
This is unworthy of a free press and demeans the stature of our pressmen. What is in the papers must be factual, giving both sides unprejudiced and uncensored coverage. The people can then be proud of a free press, rely on it, and the editors cannot be faulted easily by the powers that be.
The Press can be manipulated by coercion (monetary and physical), pandering to the reporters or journalists by giving them facilities or favours like accommodation, concessional rent or travel, accreditation entitling them to freebies, foreign jaunts, porks for obliging special correspondents etc.
So what are the basic requirements we need in a credible press? 1.Number one is investigative Journalism., 2. Telling it like it is 3. Fearless independence and 4.Morality or a code of ethics.
In a democracy, specially politicians, bureaucrats, police, judicial members, even priests and communal organisations or any organisation should not be able to hide or carry out their misdeeds in secrecy.
No one expects the level of the gutsy reporting of NDTV. Not everyone possesses
the intelligence and commitment, or has that level of experience. Their salaries
also cannot be matched. However I have some suggestions with some relevant
examples.
a) Investigative reporting - River Princess - Why has no one interviewed the concerned MPT authorities as to who and how permission was given for the vessel to enter harbour? After it grounded, who conducted an inquiry and what were the findings? How come no one has been pulled up and so on.
We have the Right to Information Act in Goa. Isn't it easy to interview those who tried to use it, and simultaneously those who are supposed to implement it?
b) Telling it like it is - The reporting of the proceedings of our Legislative Assembly
is selective and sometimes biased.
So many scams, murders, non registration of FIRs. As far as possible, there should
be checking of facts before publishing. There are the sins of commission and
omission. Responsible journalism does not mean censoring of the truth.
c) Fearless Independence - Obviously not there in our press for the various reasons
mentioned above.
d) Morality or code of ethics - If there is one, the Goa Union of Journalists, may like
to promulgate and try to enforce it.
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HERALD 24/7/03 page 6
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