Access to information has been a big challenge to journalists around the
world. CHELU MATUZYA interviewed a number of members of the fourth estate
who participated in a short course on Media Responsibility in Hamburg,
Germany concerning the issue. This is what they said…
GRACEY CHURUMANZU
Journalist, The Zimbabwean Newspaper; Zimbabwe
Journalists need a lot of support because they have a very difficult task of
informing and educating the public.
Access to information in my country really depends on the issue you are
covering. For instance, it is still a challenge to access quality
information if you want to do investigative reporting.
Due to economic crisis we are facing in our nation, some sources become
hesitant to give information if you are not willing to give them some
money.
This is quite a challenge to journalists because we are poorly paid yet we
are forced to spend extra money to access information.
You will not struggle to do sports and other social activities reporting
though. The challenge, however, is when you delve into sensitive political
issues.
It gets even more complicated if you are from an independent paper because
of the suspicion that you might criticize the government.
It’s clear that some people do not understand the role of journalists. We
are there to inform the public.
If you are displeased by a journalist’s negative coverage of your
institution, company or government, there is no need of extending hatred to
all the other journalists in the field.
NUNIK TRIANA
Journalist, Jurnal Nasional Newspaper; Indonesia
A journalist’s desire is always to give transparent and reliable
information. In Indonesia, just like in many other nations, accessing
sensitive information that might seem to challenge the government is not
easy.
Government officials such as those working in the President’s Office and
cabinet ministers often delay in giving out information you might be looking
for.
Alternatively, they will keep on running from journalists to avoid being
put to task. This really discourages the efforts of journalists.
Sometimes you will be lucky to access some information but once you want to
do a follow up, the path is blocked. I find this very disheartening because
it compromises my performance.
Citizens should know that journalists are not enemies but people whom they
can work with to bring the desired changes in the societies they live in.
MERCY NJOROGE
Sub-Editor, The star Newspaper; Kenya
There is currently no freedom of information legislation in Kenya but the
recently endorsed new constitution may open doors for free flow of
information in the country.
The Freedom of Information Bill was last presented in Parliament in 2007.
It, however, never went beyond the first reading.
After the 2007 elections and subsequent post election violence, the calls
for more open access to information intensified in light of the crimes
committed.
This culminated in the writing of Freedom of Information Bill 2008 which up
to date has never been debated on.
With a new constitution now, civil societies and members of the forth estate
are entitled to information from government thereby promoting transparency
and accountability.
LLANESKA PANTI
Journalist, Philippine
We need specific time to access information. The challenge in my country is
that there are too many people to consult when you want information from the
government offices.
You are sometimes told to write questionnaires which take months to be sent
back and sometimes you don’t get them at all. This is a big challenge since
journalists work with deadlines.
I think the setbacks that we, as journalists, face should stir us to fight
for what we feel we deserve for the betterment of our societies.
AYO OKULAJA
Journalist, Next Newspaper; Nigeria
High level of secrecy among government officials is what hinders access to
information in my country.
But the role of journalists is to disseminate information to the community
as promptly and reliably as possible.
That is why we need more websites like WikiLeaks, where you can send ‘hot’
information on what is going in the country without your name being exposed.
Protection of the sources is a key factor in enhancing transparency in our
societies.
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