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ELMAWI: Why media is the lifeblood of democracy

In various parts of the world, media freedom, like many other freedoms, is under threat.

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by OMAR ELMAWI

Columnists02 May 2023 - 12:49
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In Summary


  • Freedom of the press should be a fundamental human right, not a toy for the government to play with whenever they feel grumpy or threatened. 
  • The media is the lifeblood of democracy, and protecting it should be the cornerstone of any democratic society.
A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference and have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour.

On May 3, every year, the world religiously celebrates World Press Freedom Day, a day set aside to celebrate press freedom and honour journalists who have lost their lives while discharging their duties.  

This year's theme, 'Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights', is a reminder of the critical role of the media in ensuring the enforcement and respect of human rights, especially in times of crisis. 

I am glad to be celebrating World Press Freedom Day by writing this opinion piece in my pyjamas and from the comfort of my home instead of in handcuffs.  

In various parts of the world, media freedom, like many other freedoms, is under threat. Independent journalists, bloggers, citizen journalists, and social media users are targeted through draconian laws, surveillance, and other means to suppress free speech. 

Press freedom in Africa remains a major challenge, with governments restricting the operations of journalists and media outlets. In Kenya, the situation is no different. Journalists are constantly subjected to legal challenges and intimidation when they dare to report corrupt practices, human rights abuses and government failures that plague our society.  

Take a recent incident where our police officers used tear gas on the Azimio maandamanos, injuring journalists and damaging equipment. It was a brazen attack, with officers even shooting a gas canister directly into a car carrying journalists. If the canister had hit a person, it could have been lethal. This is the reality facing journalists in Kenya and Africa as a whole. 

In Shakahola, the media and civil society organisations were, at first, the only ones brave enough to speak up about the horrors unfolding there. Meanwhile, security agencies were nowhere to be seen in the initial days.

But as soon as the news spread like wildfire, the government's big idea was to declare the area under curfew and kick everyone out, including the poor journalists trying to do their job. Sure, the media are now allowed back into the area, but why did we have to go through all that nonsense in the first place?  

Freedom of the press should be a fundamental human right, not a toy for the government to play with whenever they feel grumpy or threatened. 

The plight of journalists and media organisations in Africa calls for urgent action by various stakeholders, including civil society, governments, international organisations, and media watchdogs.

Indeed, as Nelson Mandela once said, "A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference and have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour." 

It is, therefore, incumbent upon governments to create an enabling environment for media to operate freely without fear of persecution or intimidation. Journalists should be allowed to do their work without undue interference. Besides, independent entities should own and finance the media to enhance their objectivity and independence. 

As media organisations continue to grapple with the challenges of financial sustainability, it is also critical for governments to provide support mechanisms to ensure that the media remains a viable and vibrant sector in society.

This can be through tax breaks, subsidies, or other financial incentives to enable the media to fulfil its role as a watchdog and provider of reliable information to the public.  

The media is the lifeblood of democracy, and protecting it should be the cornerstone of any democratic society. Let us all remember the words of Kofi Annan, "The free press is not the enemy of the people. It is the defender of the people and a critical pillar of democracy."  

Lawyer and executive director at Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) 

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