The call by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technology chairperson Settlement Chikwinya (MDC-T) for the government to allow journalists unfettered access to public documents could not have come at a better time.
NewsDay Editorial
For a long time now, the relationship between the media — especially the independent media and the government — has not been particularly cordial.
On numerous occasions journalists and media houses alike have been threatened with closure or arrest for reporting on matters that some parties in government regard as no go areas.
It therefore comes as a welcome relief that there are some MPs warming up to the idea of an open media society where journalists are allowed to play their role of ensuring accountability by public officials without hindrance.
In many instances, as journalists we have found it difficult to access important documents that enhance our reporting for the public good simply because some government officials are afraid of being exposed.
There is no doubt as Chikwinya put it, that free access to information promotes trust between government and the public.
The right to information is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and is a component of the broader right to freedom of expression.
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Most of the country’s citizens rely on the media to judge government performance, hence the need for a cordial relationship between the two.
The media, through supporting high-quality, thoughtful comment and debate on public issues, has a key role to play in supporting good policies and building decent societies
There is no need for the country to continue holding on to redundant media legislation such as Posa and Aippa.
The media, therefore, has a role to play in the democratisation of the country and to bring to an end impunity.
Not at all times do the private interests of leaders and public interests of the community coincide. There is, therefore, the need for the media to play its watchdog role on behalf of the public to ensure that whatever decisions the government makes are in the public interest.
There is no harm for the government to be regularly scrutinised for the decisions it takes on behalf of the public.
Critics contend that it is unrealistic to expect government leaders to promote reform by themselves.
We therefore welcome the call by Chikwinya for journalists to enjoy unfettered access to information that benefits members of the public.
These are signs of a growing democracy. More in this case is better.
