It is time to eradicate the evil that has befallen us

Oct 04, 2014 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
The First Lady of the United States, on a visit to China earlier this year, while addressing university students and others, indicated to her audience that she and her husband were subjected to criticism from the media in the USA, and at times this was difficult, but they would have it no other way, since ideas and opinions from all, made for a more progressive and prosperous society.
That view is so full of wisdom that only the uneducated would find fault with that concept.  Opposing views are good for us, even if we do not always agree with them.  They help us to be better; to do better; to learn.   Only an incompetent and insecure person would want to force their own views on others or suppress views that do not coincide with theirs.  There is a quote from Edmund Burke which should be helpful in our understanding that ‘blind loyalty’ is not really our friend.  It goes thus:
“He that struggles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill.  Our antagonist is our helper.”
In pursuit of free speech, the following statement about news agencies taken from the website www.journalism.org is instructive:
“While news organizations answer to many constituencies …the journalists in those organizations must maintain allegiance to citizens and the larger public interest above any other if they are to provide the news without fear or favor. This commitment to citizens first is the basis of a news organization’s credibility …Commitment to citizens also means journalism should present a representative picture of all constituent groups in society. Ignoring certain citizens has the effect of disenfranchising them…credibility builds a broad and loyal audience”.
If we allow ourselves to look for the meaning in this statement we would understand why, for example, some newspapers readily sell, while others have to be foisted unto people.
Since a government’s role is so critical in the development of people in particular, and the country as a whole, I would tend to cast a more critical eye on the state-owned media and their operatives, i.e. the public servants (persons paid by taxpayers’ funds) who provide the media offering, and who should be more conscious of what it means to serve the public without fear or favour.
In the interest of credibility, the culture in such media houses should vigorously promote reporting the news impartially and for the benefit of the public. This helps to foster an ethical climate which is conducive to the well-being of those very operatives.
In serving the interest of the people, media personnel could for example, highlight some of the atrocious situations that arise in our society, particularly those perpetrated by agents or agencies that are supposed to be serving citizens.
Said media operatives could pursue issues that would help to improve the lot of the ordinary man, irrespective of race, colour or creed.  This would change the perception among citizens that only the rich and influential deserve justice in this society.
Quite recently an elderly man was in the news expressing his lack of confidence in the justice system in relation to an issue concerning his property. This is a sentiment that is privately echoed by many citizens. In another situation that I know of, recently, two teenaged boys (mainly of Amerindian descent) were severely beaten (broken teeth, knocked unconscious, bruises etc.) by some men/drivers from a taxi service, because the boys dared to close an open taxi door that was protruding on to the roadway and which was hindering them from passing safely.  Surely that did not warrant a barbaric response.
I learnt that the men felt free to beat them mercilessly because they did not think that boys like them would have people to represent them. On hearing of the incident subsequently, the taxi service owner was cooperative, to his credit, and agreed that justice should be sought for the young men.
Pursuit of issues related to the ordinary man would make for more credibility in the media offerings, making them resonate in a more positive way with the public, and may reduce some of the heinous and inconsiderate acts that have become part of our society.
There is a lot the ‘national’ media could do to improve the public good. Highlight gross incompetence, questionable ‘loyalty’ and ‘politically correct’ affiliation wherever they occur and which are rewarded handsomely to the detriment of our society. These are issues that the state-owned media could expend enthusiasm on and help to change the existing culture that gives rise to the perceived and real situation that the law is conveniently used to silence uncomfortable views, while remaining silent about blatant acts of corruption.
The private media seem to demonstrate more concern for the public’s interest, as is evidenced by the trust that the poor place in them to air their stories of unfair treatment.  Perhaps the state media could shift to a more strategic role of change agent, thereby creating an environment that can foster true prosperity and democracy, while researching and giving credit to precursor activities that have contributed to our development.
Decent and mature people allow themselves to give credit where it is due.  They know that they do not have a monopoly on ideas, so there is no need to disguise ideas in order to claim credit for them.  It also helps relationships.
It is well for us to bear in mind, that our own security is intertwined with the security of others.  Businesses should do well to note that, since the majority of the people who buy their products are ordinary citizens, who cannot or will not have the confidence to spend money in an uncertain climate.  Surely, if nothing else has taught us, recent international developments should help us to understand the concept of the interrelatedness of mankind.
There is a quote from Edmund Burke which I was reminded of in last Sunday’s sermon at my church, which states:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do nothing.”
I am sure that we have good men in the state-owned media who can be agents of change for the public good.  I am sure they would not sell their ‘birthright’ for a meal.  I am sure that their livelihood would be much more rewarding, when encompassed by the knowledge and the action of keeping ethics at the forefront of their work.  Work should be something that enriches our lives, not make our lives become a living hell, or make us lesser beings.
It is time to eradicate the evil that has befallen us.
Rosemarie Terborg Davis

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