A public lecture by a former Cameroonian television journalist and a newspaper opinion by a Ugandan TV station owner last week tackled an issue that goes to the heart of journalism as a facet of public life. (See Journalists asked to rethink their purpose and Fake news killing media houses, The Observer, December 9).
Cameroonian communication and development expert Eric Chinje was unequivocal in his call to journalism to reorient itself towards its public service role – as a marketplace of developmental ideas.
Delivering the third Media and Politics in Africa public lecture organized by the African Centre for Media Excellence, Chinje challenged journalists to identify the critical issues for their societies, and dedicate themselves to addressing those issues with thorough research and integrity.
A journalist’s purpose, Chinje argued, can’t be just to make money and peddle influence.
For his part, Kin Kariisa, chairman of both NBS TV and the National Association of Broadcasters, urged media houses to invest in verification and quality research of news before publishing it.
Kariisa lamented the spread of ‘fake news’, especially on the internet and social media platforms. He urged media houses to rise above the laissez-faire cacophony of the web – so that their audiences can trust them.
These are timely messages – not least because journalism is facing what many fear is an existential threat from social media and hundreds of millions of individual bloggers.
With journalism houses losing public attention and revenue, credibility and thoroughness are some of the few remaining trump cards. As Chinje said, for us to contribute to Africa’s development, we must improve the quality of conversation in our media; and for that mission, fact, authority, and an honest, unrelenting search for truth are critical.
Of course media houses are facing real challenges. Good journalism is not cheap and in a small economy like Uganda, the section of the population willing to pay for quality information could be bigger. Yet we have little choice except to sustainably invest in quality, as we seek creative ways to get money for value.