Why Public Figures Must Take Responsibility for their Words and Actions
"Public figures by virtue of their social statues enjoy a lot of power and influence. As such, they can't avoid taking responsibility for things they say and do. It's a price they have to pay." This was one of the lessons dished out to some members of the fourth estate by Eugene Nforngwa, main facilitator at a two day Media for Peace Mentorship workshop organised by #defyhatenow that held at Bano Hotel, Akwa, Douala from the 18-19 February 2021.
On Wednesday January 6th 2021, an attack on the Momo S.D.O's convoy on its way back from official duties in the subdivisions of Njikwa and Andek leading to the death of some soldiers and a civilian, the Divisional Delegate of Communication made headline news in the local, national and international press. The Guardian Post Daily Newspaper Edition No. 2044 of Friday January 8 2021 carried as banner headline UN Peace Official Calls on Bakwerians to Quit NW, after the killing of the delegate.
Participants at #defyhatenow Organised #Media4Peace Workshop |
We won't mention their names but rather share what they said. A reporter from The Median Newspaper sorted for clarification on whether the concerned made the statement as a UN peace official or as a Bakweri son? "We should at least separate people's social media outings from their office" he added. In response, a reporter from the said newspaper that carried the story defended that "If John, the pastor commits adultery on a week day, the news out there shall be pastor has committed adultery and not John has committed adultery"
Eugene Nforngwa, Facilitator |
A read through the article presented the said official as Prof. Samuel Kale Ewusi of Peace Studies and International Relations, doubling as the Director of the Africa Regional Programme of the United Nations: University for Peace (UPEACE). By then when it was still fresh, journalists that have undergone trainings by #defyhatenow debated on the headline in some social media chat groups created by the organisation.
Lastly, The Guardian Post reporter came back to conclude that "The fundamental role of the media is to hold perpetrators of hate to account. Ignoring it wouldn't help the situation. It is obvious that after this public outburst, Prof Ewusi will hence choose his words wisely. At least that's the smallest thing expected from a man of his standing"
He pressed on with his justification that "Your private life should not be in sharp contrast with the goals of your employer." A claim corroborated by a radio station manager in Bamenda who cued in to say "A certain position of responsibility warrants that your actions and words are well chosen."
Coming back to the workshop, participants were clarified that bringing someone's personal credentials into a story is often to improve understanding. However, it should be avoided if it's irrelevant and or stigmatises the concerned. He also clarified that "Each time someone speaks to you as a journalist, they're granting an interview" this after after having schooled the attentive participants on how much error journalists can commit in their reports and how much harm such reports can cause.
Projection of Sample Material |
To buttress this, he made it clear that each time a public figure speaks, he or she is doing so in official capacity. In terms of their actions, he affirmed that there's no private life in wrong doings. This accounts for why at times the media reports certain stories others think are people's private life. Such persons must thus always watch their actions and chew their words.
Again, both participants and facilitators also exchanged views on whether or not people have the right to say whatever they want to say. Here, the common agreement was that 'Yes'. However, it's not everything one says that the journalist should disseminate because the ethics of the profession, personal biases, laws, editorial policies, morality and common sense demand that the journalist sieves information before spreading.
Participants in Session |
This explains why at times, what's news for "A" is a non event for "B". For example, prior to October 1st 2017 after the September 22nd grand peaceful street protests across the entire two English speaking regions of Cameroon, South West governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai came under criticism for referring to anglophones as "Dogs". According to some online sources, in an interview aired by state media CRTV, the governor in addressing parents and anglophone elites living in other towns said “…Everyone should go to their family, village and catch their dogs. If dogs continue to take to the streets to bite, that is to destroy, they will meet with security forces,”
Using this as an example during the #defyhatenow organised Media for Peace Mentorship Workshop, it was explained that to an extent both interviewee and interviewer failed to be responsible. The governor could withdraw his statement there and then before the journalists went to press or even after for interviewees have the right to withdraw their statements. Since it wasn't a live interview, the journalists too had the yam and knife in deciding which part of the entire interview will be aired and which won't.
Group Work |
If they had considered their role in society of not being channels via which hate speech is propagated, of not adding fuel to flames in their reports, such a portion of the interview would've been discarded. But again, as earlier on mentioned, because of biases, convictions, editorial policies etc, no principle is absolute in the media.
Truly there's freedom of speech but note be taken that the quality of speech too matters. Nforngwa Eugene categorically made it clear that "In no circumstance is freedom of expression absolute, not even in the most democratic countries." With these lessons gained, the trained reporters are now supposed to publish exemplary reports that will depict the knowledge imparted into them by #defyhatenow
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