World Press Freedom Day – May 3 |04 May 2020

Local journalists during a recent press conference. On this World Press Freedom Day the mainstream media are being called upon to do their journalism job without fear and favour

Mainstream media must give out the truth without fear or favour

Yesterday, Sunday May 3, media practitioners around the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day and the theme chosen for this year is ‘Journalism Without Fear or Favour'.

In a world where disinformation, misinformation and fake news are on the rise and since the people have the opportunity to share such news on different social media platforms, the mainstream media are being called upon to do their journalism job without fear and favour.

Mainstream media are traditional or established broadcasting (radio and television) or publishing outlets (newspapers).

In the age of social discovery where social media has become very popular especially among the younger generation and at the same time help newspapers and broadcasters gain traction, the mainstream media have to continue playing their crucial role which is helping people make informed decisions.

Since social media has become an important source for journalists as it can provide them with on-site information and material they otherwise would not have access to, it is important for mainstream journalists to source and verify the information before publication.

The fact that most trained journalists and those with a number of years of experience under their belt have the capacity and knowledge to differentiate between fake and real news, upholding the profession against any threats is becoming ever more important.

In the 2020 World Press Freedom Index released on April 21, 2020, Seychelles was ranked 63rd out of 180 countries (11th in Africa) with 28.66 points. It means Seychelles is doing a fine job as it has moved six steps from 69th last year when it climbed up a staggering 16 steps from 85th position (in 2018) in the rankings prepared by Reporters Without Borders.

At the time of crisis, wars, famine etc, the freedom of the press becomes vital amid fake news and false information people keep receiving through various media. We have seen it in Seychelles with fake news on Facebook about new COVID-19 cases. This is where an unbiased press plays an important role as it is able to give out the truth without fear or favour.

It is also the responsibility of people consuming news to differentiate which news they will adhere to and to not believe in fake news.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, United Nations secretary general António Guterres issued a request to all governments to protect their media workers and he noted that “journalists and media workers help us make informed decisions that could make the difference between life and death”.

He added that journalists are providing the “antidote” to what he has characterised as a pandemic of misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 crisis.

“As the pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories. The press provides the antidote: verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis,” said Mr Guterres in his televised message.

World Press Freedom Day was born in the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, after the recommendation of Unesco's General Conference. Since then, May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

This year, Unesco launched a global campaign on media and social media channels, with a focus on this year's theme.

From May 4 to 6, Unesco will also hold several events including: High-level Dialogue on Press Freedom and Tackling Disinformation in the COVID-19 context, webinars, and online discussions via Facebook Live, YouTube, and Microsoft teams, among other digital platforms.

The sub-themes for this year also are:

• Safety of Women and Men Journalists and Media Workers

• Independent and Professional Journalism free from Political and Commercial Influence

• Gender Equality in All Aspects of the Media

Gerard Govinden