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World Press Freedom Day
-Media needs to place more focus on social ills- Justice Prem Persaud
Whilst political and economical issues, whether positive or negative, are given prominence in the local media, social issues that are impacting the everyday life of the populace and the fabric of society are being ignored.
Justice Prem Persaud
This notion was expressed by Justice Prem Persaud, a former Magistrate, during an interview with this publication. He made that comment in light of World Press Freedom Day being observed today under the theme “Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the post-2015 Development Agenda.”
According to Justice Persaud, there are many columns, articles and letters in the news that speak to political and economical issues. But, social ills such as domestic violence and noise nuisance should also be given prominence for Guyanese to have high moral standing.
He believes that the media fraternity should have a common policy as to how these social ills could be addressed. Cognizant that media houses compete with each other, Justice Persaud emphasized that publishers, editors and reporters have a common responsibility to the nation.
Justice Persaud related that vehicular accidents, particularly those that result in fatalities, are worrying and the media should be more forceful in its reporting to have police and the Courts enforce condign measures to offenders.
He said media operatives should demand of the authorities an analysis of the category of accidents, background of individuals involved in the accidents, issuance date of drivers’ licences and the areas the licences were issued.
According to Justice Persaud, the verdicts of Magistrates if good and fair should be lauded. But, judgements or dismissal of cases that cause eyebrows to rise should not be ignored.
He said that settlements accepted by the relatives of persons who lost their lives because of criminal offences should not conclude the matter. Whilst that may conclude a civil matter, the offender should still be prosecuted for a criminal offence, he explained.
Another troubling social problem is noise nuisance, which seems to be only highlighted in the letter columns of newspapers. He emphasized that there are laws governing noise nuisance and the police as first responders to complaints should be stern in their approach. In this particular issue the media needs to step-up their reportage and highlight the culprits.
According to President of the Guyana Press Association Gordon Moseley, the local media has been focusing on many of the social ills, almost on a daily basis, but it appears as though the rest of society wants the media to take on their collective roles.
Gordon Moseley, President of Guyana Press Association
He said this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme is important, since Media Freedom is one of the essential rights that should serve as the cornerstone to any developing society.
“The role of the media must not be taken for granted and should always be respected and media freedom should always be encouraged and promoted by democratic governments,” Moseley related.
He said the role of the media in the development of a society is pivotal and journalists must understand that the role comes with responsibilities. Therefore, they should always in their quest to present the story, be mindful of the responsibilities that come with the profession.
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