Deuxième jour de Conférence au GIJC 2010. Mon émerveillement perdure. Les histoires et anecdotes s'enchaînent. Le nombres de gens que j'ai vu à la télé aussi...
Today’s conference presented three situations of where different states organisation charts seem to resemble more of a family tree, than anything else. Theophilus Abbah from Nigeria, Ahmed Benchemsi from Morocco and an impromptu contribution from Ugandan journalist, Frank Nyakairu, all discussed the political workings and for some, corruption, of their respective countries. Conclusion from all, the freedom of the press is truly in danger.
In Morocco there is a freedom of the press; certainly the highest compared to fellow Arab/Muslim countries. Yet, that was until now. Previously, one could report on autocratic regimes quite freely, without much fear of consequences or backlash. There are, however, three subjects that journalists should not talk about: God, the homeland and the King. If you do, consequences are guaranteed and they can vary from threats, trials and jail time. Benchemsi should know. He was sued on numerous occasions and even spent a few nights in detention. His ‘crime’: calling the Moroccan King “a human being”, rather than a ‘sacred’ individual. As the King has gained in confidence in his leadership role, he is making journalists’ job increasingly difficult. Unsure as to how to deal with the freedom of the press, journalists are increasingly facing lawsuits and trials, and more and more press agencies are being shutdown. Benchemsi expresses a concern for the future as he sees the situation worsening.
Nigeria is supposedly a country under the leadership of a democratically elected government. Though hearing Abbah’s various experiences and stories, it becomes clear that this is questionable. The government remains a closed system. Abbah goes on to explain methods for journalists wanting to investigate the government: working with politicians and members of the cabinet, associating with close family members of government officials, scrutinising the budget and working with anti-corruption agencies. He also adds that the role of high-society ladies close to government officials should not be underestimated, as they can often be the source of interesting information.
In Uganda, it is clear. It is a family affair and it is a closed system. All those in power are generally related in some way or another with the leader; be it through blood, through marriage, or other family ties. Nyakairi presented a visual map of what Uganda’s political structure, under Museveni’s leadership, looks like. It could be a reconstruction of Museveni’s family tree. As Nyakairi states, “corruption is the word of the day”.
The three journalists expressed their concern for the future of journalism. The freedom of the press is in danger, and not only in Morocco, Nigeria and Uganda. It is important for journalists to work together, and that there be more cooperation between local journalists and foreign media.
Today’s conference presented three situations of where different states organisation charts seem to resemble more of a family tree, than anything else. Theophilus Abbah from Nigeria, Ahmed Benchemsi from Morocco and an impromptu contribution from Ugandan journalist, Frank Nyakairu, all discussed the political workings and for some, corruption, of their respective countries. Conclusion from all, the freedom of the press is truly in danger.
In Morocco there is a freedom of the press; certainly the highest compared to fellow Arab/Muslim countries. Yet, that was until now. Previously, one could report on autocratic regimes quite freely, without much fear of consequences or backlash. There are, however, three subjects that journalists should not talk about: God, the homeland and the King. If you do, consequences are guaranteed and they can vary from threats, trials and jail time. Benchemsi should know. He was sued on numerous occasions and even spent a few nights in detention. His ‘crime’: calling the Moroccan King “a human being”, rather than a ‘sacred’ individual. As the King has gained in confidence in his leadership role, he is making journalists’ job increasingly difficult. Unsure as to how to deal with the freedom of the press, journalists are increasingly facing lawsuits and trials, and more and more press agencies are being shutdown. Benchemsi expresses a concern for the future as he sees the situation worsening.
Nigeria is supposedly a country under the leadership of a democratically elected government. Though hearing Abbah’s various experiences and stories, it becomes clear that this is questionable. The government remains a closed system. Abbah goes on to explain methods for journalists wanting to investigate the government: working with politicians and members of the cabinet, associating with close family members of government officials, scrutinising the budget and working with anti-corruption agencies. He also adds that the role of high-society ladies close to government officials should not be underestimated, as they can often be the source of interesting information.
In Uganda, it is clear. It is a family affair and it is a closed system. All those in power are generally related in some way or another with the leader; be it through blood, through marriage, or other family ties. Nyakairi presented a visual map of what Uganda’s political structure, under Museveni’s leadership, looks like. It could be a reconstruction of Museveni’s family tree. As Nyakairi states, “corruption is the word of the day”.
The three journalists expressed their concern for the future of journalism. The freedom of the press is in danger, and not only in Morocco, Nigeria and Uganda. It is important for journalists to work together, and that there be more cooperation between local journalists and foreign media.
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