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Journalists Pay High Price to Keep Public Informed Fulbright Researcher Chris Conybeare says there is reason to mourn—and celebrate
The news from Chris Conybeare, speaker at the Honolulu Community Media Council’s luncheon on April 19 at the Pacific Club was grim. Having spent 2003-2004 as a Fulbright Research Fellow in Turkey and having traveled extensively elsewhere, Conybeare was able to provide numerous stories of journalistic courage in the face of harassment, intimidation and very real threats to life. From Azerbaijan to America, Conybeare who is also a television journalist, media and human rights lawyer, pointed to the grim statistics of 2004: more than 55 journalists killed while on the job, scores of others beaten, jailed and harassed –or party to compromised standards of integrity in reporting. The reasons to celebrate could be found in the inspiring account Conybeare provided of some of the very positive things that are being done by journalists, media councils and the public to ensure freedom of expression and the public's "right to know" in such places as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya and right here in the United States too. Some media councils such as the one in Turkey, have taken the initiative to establish ethical codes and to investigate alleged lapses. Others have worked for law reform. In some cases, political and economic aspirations such as desire for membership in the European Union have helped spur reform and better practices.
Confidentiality of Sources: Better Protection outside the United States Conybeare pointed out that some countries have enacted legislation to protect journalists against being compelled by the courts to disclose confidential sources. Journalists in the United States have gone to jail because they do not enjoy such protection. “We need to celebrate our heroes and be more vocal in our criticism of those who dishonor the profession by profiting from the advocacy they provide through their columns without disclosing their self-interest,” he said. Chris Conybeare, has worked with journalist unions, media organizations and media councils in Africa while researching press freedom. In October he was elected Secretary General of the World Association of Press Councils by that 11 member international body. Chris is a media specialist on the faculty of the University of Hawaii West Oahu's Center for Labor Education and Research. Conybeare was formerly executive producer and managing editor for Asia Now, a weekly television news magazine program produced with Japan's NHK and distributed throughout the U.S. and Asia. The luncheon talk was part of a series organized by the Honolulu Community Media Council . This event was co-sponsored by the Pacific Asian and Affairs Council East-West Center & Friends of East-East Center, Asian American Journalists Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Consular Corps of Hawaii. For more information please call 748-0880 or email info@mediacouncil.org |
