Christina Meetoo

An article in L’express this morning announces two developments in the local mediascape related to the debate surrounding the Media Commission Bill:

(1) It would seem that an association of press editors & directors is about to be formed, upon an initiative of Lindsay Riviere (director of Business Publications).

(2) La Sentinelle is also finalising a code of ethics to be approved and adopted by all its journalists. Subsequently, a Complaints Committee for the group will be formed to receive and evaluate complaints against its publications, based upon the code of ethics.

These are indeed positive developments for the local press. However, here are some points to ponder:

(1) Will the journalists’ association and the association of directors & editors collaborate? I think it is essential that some bridge be established between the two. Otherwise, we might see some futile feuds (because of divergence of interests) that may be counter-productive to the main objective sought. This does not necessarily mean a merging of the associations, rather avenues for fruitful collaboration and ensuring democratic progress.

(2) Who will form part of the La Sentinelle Complaints Committee? Care should be taken that it does not turn out into a committee to punish journalists only, rather that steps are taken to identify the source of the problem, and ensure no similar errors are made (e.g. provide training to journalists in identifying & evaluationg sources, etc.)

To this effect, I am currently reading an interesting book which I think all journalists should read:

The Universal Journalist by David Randall.

A very insightful read that not only provides meaningful and practical advice but is also packed with concrete real-life situation examples. It does not provide steadfast rules like do’s and don’ts. It just provides sensible advice that has got so much value for ethical journalism. As I feel it, ethics is not just an additional skill that you have to acquire apart from knowing how to source your news, write lead paras or conduct interviews. It’s a way of life….

The association of journalists has been officially created with the election of its executive members. Henri Marimootoo (of Week-End) has apparently been elected president, with Sedley Assone (Le Dimanche) & Jean-Luc Emile (Radio Plus) as vice-pdts.

L’express has reported that their objectives are three-fold:
(1) work to promote freedom of expression & democracy
(2) provide training for journalists
(3) prepare a code of conduct for the profession
(source: http://www.lexpress.mu/display_article.php?news_id=72056)

These are of course very positive initiatives for the building up of the credibility of the whole profession.

I am however wondering how far chief editors and directors of publication will also be involved or feel concerned about these endeavours. I would very much like to know whether any of them attended the meeting and are providing support to the nascent organisation. I do feel that they have to be roped in or at least persuaded to contribute in the organisation. Otherwise, we might be faced with conflicting situations if chief eds or media bosses do not themselves adhere to the code of conduct in the making.

Also, media groups themselves should feel the need to contribute actively in order to support the training programmes. Coz ultimately, the organs themselves would benefit from having skilled, competent and ethics-aware staff. How are they going to cope with the imperatives of a commercial market and the ethical code of conduct?

They should also beware of falling into the trap of feeling comfortable and secure in this association. Openness to public scrutiny and willingness to have external criticism and impartial observers are important factors in determination of credibility. Of course, the other extreme represented by political correctness should also be avoided. Impertinence and pertinence remain key elements of journalism…

Soho, I wish them good luck!

After Radio One and TopFM, Radio Plus had its own show this Saturday devoted to the debate on regulation of the press through a possible Media Commission Bill.
Guests in the studio were Raj Meetarbhan (chief editor of l’express), Lindsay Riviere (chief ed of Business Magazine) and Rama Valayden (minister of Justice). Eshan Khodarbux (boss of the Defi Plus media group) also intervened through the phone.

Compared with his colleague Bunwaree (who was on Radio One a few days before), Valayden was much more sober and tried to present rational arguments for regulation of the press by govt. Yet, the accusation of plotting and bad faith on the part of a ‘section of the press’ (a favourite expression of all our successive govts) still held good. L’express was again heavily criticised for their coverage of the importation of petrol affair & the publication of rumours about transfers of civil servants, etc.

Raj Meetarbhan was in a fighting spirit and ardently defended his paper by trying to enter into a discussion of the details of these affairs. He almost accused the govt of plotting against l’express (which might be true but then why not week-end, a slightly more partisan paper in its opposition to the govt?).

Lindsay Riviere was probably the most rational contributor as he pointed out that the failings of the press could mostly be attributed to lack of access to information, lack of training and the nature of the job that does not allow for much time for triple, let alone double-checking as should be the case for credible journalism.

As for Khodabux, he also made some interesting points about the difficulties of the job with some concrete examples and a vivid language. It is however not quite fair that he was allowed to make a long uninterrupted intervention as compared with the other participants…

It was nonetheless one of the most informative shows on that issue so far (Radio+ had the advantage of being the last one to tackle it). Seems like the contenders are now refining their arguments and positioning themselves more clearly.

On the govt’s side, Valayden has now confirmed the existence of a working paper for the Media Commission Bill but he declared nothing would be finalised without proper consultations.

As for the press, Riviere alluded to the advent of the association of journalists and mentioned that even the media bosses & chief editors are thinking of forming an association.

The game is now truly on…

There have been many ‘developments’ in the press-govt relations these few days. The PM has heavily criticised the press and used quotes with allusion to prostitutes in his rantings against journalists.

This has of course spurred the profession to write even more articles about the threats that are hanging upon the heads of reporters, to organise debates on radio (of course nothing from MBC). The latest show I heard was yesterday on Radio One with Jean-Claude de L’Estrac (boss of L’Express) and minister Vasant Bunwaree. Apparently TopFM had also invited minister Rama Valayden and journalists Nad Sivaramen and Henri Marimootoo but I missed it.

Whereas Rama Valayden has denied the existence of a draft of the Media Commission Bill in an interview in Le Defi Plus, Vasant Bunwaree confirmed that the government is actively working on the project on Radio One. Which is which?