"Develop a culture of free, critical thinking and promote freedom of the media so as to ensure free access to information, unhindered by legal obstacles and unaffected by partisanship or political pressures."
The above is one of the campaign promises by the "Change" list. I would like to explore why media freedom is important to the current development of the Kurdistan Region. Over the past few years, newspapers, reporters and authors have had a very tough time in Kurdistan. If there reporting was seen to be against the governing group they were taken to court (Hawlati taken to court by President Talabani), imprisoned ( Dr Kamil Qadir sentenced 30 years for challenging President Barzani) and even murdered in cold blood (Young Reporter shot outside his house in Kirkuk). Also quite a few small news websites started appearing with obvious bias towards one politician or another (a very poorly disguised part of the certain politician's propaganda machine). Why do Kurdish politicians feel the need to put obstacles in front of free reporting? I will let Napoleon Bonaparte answer this one:
"I fear the newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets."
Napoleon just like all the current Kurdish politicians, know the power of free media. A big problem within the KRG at the moment is the complete lack of transparency. There is no freedom of information and no accountability to the electorate. Free Media in Kurdistan will fill that gap to an extent. It allows John Milton's open marketplaces of ideas to flourish, giving each individual unlimited access to the ideas and opinions of their fellow citizens. On the other hand free media will be a third eye on the workings of our government. Keeping an over arching eye on our politicians and acting as a deterrent to those tempted to fall into corrupt ways. For free media to function correctly it needs to be protected by a justice system that surpasses every layer of society. Journalists need to feel safe and free; media companies need to be able to function without the fear of constant legal challenges from a justice system rooted in Partisan bias.
"I fear the newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets."
Napoleon just like all the current Kurdish politicians, know the power of free media. A big problem within the KRG at the moment is the complete lack of transparency. There is no freedom of information and no accountability to the electorate. Free Media in Kurdistan will fill that gap to an extent. It allows John Milton's open marketplaces of ideas to flourish, giving each individual unlimited access to the ideas and opinions of their fellow citizens. On the other hand free media will be a third eye on the workings of our government. Keeping an over arching eye on our politicians and acting as a deterrent to those tempted to fall into corrupt ways. For free media to function correctly it needs to be protected by a justice system that surpasses every layer of society. Journalists need to feel safe and free; media companies need to be able to function without the fear of constant legal challenges from a justice system rooted in Partisan bias.
Finally, media organizations have a responsibility to report fairly and accurately. There are Kurdish news websites currently popular that spend most of there time posting rumors and defaming politicians based on hearsay (KurdistanPost). Kurdistan needs free press and freedom of expression but those media organisations expressing their views need to understand their responsibilities to the population. I would like to leave you with one final thought. One of the leading voices in the U.S. on the subject of Journalistic Standards and Ethics is the Society of Professional Journalists. The Preamble to its Code of Ethics states:
"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. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility."
Shkar Sharif (Guest Writer)
If you wish to be a guest writer on this blog and hae something to contribute please send your articles to shkows1@hotmail.com for editin and publishing.
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