05 May 2009
Media Expert Deborah Potter Discusses Independent Journalism
CO.NX webchat transcript, May 5
Veteran journalism trainer, reporter and writer Deborah Potter answered questions in a May 5 CO.NX webchat on whether independent journalism is possible.
Following is the transcript:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Webchat: Is Independent Journalism Possible?
Guest: Deborah Potter
Date: May 5, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT)
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to today's webchat! This is the second of four webchats on the topic of World Press Freedom. We are taking your questions for Deborah Potter now.
Deborah Potter: This is Deborah Potter in Washington, DC. Thank you for participating in today's webchat. I am pleased to see so many people online already and I will begin responding to your questions shortly.
Question [BROADKAST PAKISTAN]: The current Media is controlled/manipulated by corporate tycoons, they present only one side of the issue or event, or used as machine of propaganda, isn’t it against the democratic ideals and norms?
Answer [Deborah Potter]: Corporate pressure is a huge threat to news media independence, even in developed democracies. It is difficult to resist the influence of the people who pay the bills. But journalists must make a strong argument that independent, credible journalism is good business so they can continue to provide the information people need to make decisions in a democratic system.
Q [diakite (abidjan)]: Hi Deborah, do you think that is it possible to be independent in the religious media?
A [Deborah Potter]: Religious media are a rather special case. If they are affiliated with a particular faith community, my sense is that it is rare for them to take a stand against a position held by that community. A media organization that has a strongly held position cannot be seen as entirely independent but can still be a reliable source of information on some issues. I think the key is for the organization to be very clear and public about its associations so the public knows about them and can weigh the information accordingly.
Comment [BROADKAST PAKISTAN]: Thanks, Dear Deborah Potter, Maam, those who argue or resist for the cause to bring Truth are gagged, threatened, kidnapped and mostly killed.
Q [TiaCuTe]: What's your significant action to permit media being independent?
A [Deborah Potter]: I think the news media need both legal protection and ethical standards to operate independently. Laws vary from country to country, of course, but standards are much the same. Journalists must remain free of entanglements that can compromise their credibility, and they must resist pressure in order to remain fair. When associations are unavoidable, they must be disclosed to the public.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us today. Ms. Potter has many questions coming in, and she's doing her best to answer as many as she can. Thanks for your patience!
Q [Sophie]: What does independent press mean? Is it ownership, is it about censorship or both? In developing African nations, is it possible to have "free press" without financial and other support from the government? I'd like for us to take a critical look at the issue of free press, how is it developed etc.
A [Deborah Potter]: Several questioners have asked for a definition of independence. I'd say that it means the ability to provide a fair and accurate account of the news without taking sides. There is always pressure on journalists to compromise their independence, whether it comes from owners, advertisers or governments. There is no one magic solution to this issue, but as I've suggested, it requires a continuing effort on the part of journalists to achieve and maintain independence. The bottom line is that the only thing the news media really have to offer is credibility, and maintaining independence protects that value. This should matter to all underwriters of the news media, but I admit that can be a tough case to make.
Q [Folli]: One challenge we have here in Cote d'Ivoire is that the media outlets are highly politicized making journalists becoming the mouthpieces of politicians. In such situation how can we guarantee independent journalism?
A [Deborah Potter]: If the news media already are aligned with a political party it is difficult for them to be perceived as independent. Could this provide an opening for a new, truly independent source to compete in the marketplace? Are there potential backers for such an enterprise who would allow it to provide accurate and fair coverage in return for the prestige and possible economic benefit that might convey?
Q [abdoulaye KPOGOMOU]: It is true that the press is today the 4th power in the world, but I want to know why journalists can be killed for attempting to provide information, like the case of Norbert Zongo in Burkina Faso
A [Deborah Potter]: Journalists are in danger around the world, perhaps more than ever. They have been arrested and killed in many countries. All journalists need to speak out against this. Public pressure may help in some cases but this is not a new problem and there is no sign that the situation is improving, unfortunately.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): To read more about journalists under siege, click here: http://www.america.gov/journalism-siege.html
Q [abidjan-eric]: Hi Deborah, do you think that the information can be objective after the journalist collected a per diem?
A [Deborah Potter]: This is a common practice in many countries, I know. I think paying journalists to cover stories can influence their reporting, even when they believe it doesn't. That said, it may not be possible to eliminate the use of per diems, so I think any journalist who accepts one should disclose it in his or her story and then do everything possible not to slant the story to please the payer.
Q [Radio Cote d'Ivoire]: Ms. Potter, apart from political influence, can the financial situation of journalists in economically weak countries also be a hindrance to their independence?
A [Deborah Potter]: Absolutely. As Eric noted, paying "per diems" is common in countries where journalists are poorly paid. So is taking outside employment. I know that's a fact of life, but I'd urge journalists to avoid jobs that are clearly in conflict with their work as journalists, such as "moonlighting" for a government agency, writing press releases. If that's not possible, then journalists should avoid writing stories about their outside employer.
Q [koita-Abidjan 2]: Why does it say that the journalist is democratic oxygen?
A [Deborah Potter]: Because a free press and a democracy really cannot exist without each other. You can't have an open democracy without a free press, because it provides the information people need to make good decisions about their government. And we're never seen a truly free press survive in a non-democratic system.
Q [Deborah Ecker]: Do you think the disappearance of the traditional newsprint media will further damage journalism.ie that more journalists will become dependent on other sources for income and perhaps become slanted to the side that is paying?
A [Deborah Potter]: I am not too concerned about the future of newsprint--I believe good journalism will survive in other media even if it's not produced on paper. But the economic model for that hasn't been settled yet. Here in the U.S., the recession has deeply affected the advertising market that supports almost all news organizations. Other options are under discussion and being experimented with, including support from non-profits and from the public. Wherever the money comes from, journalists will need to avoid conflicts of interest to maintain independence.
Q [teko]: Hi I am Veronica I’d like to know the qualification that someone should have to be a good independent journalist
A [Deborah Potter]: Thanks for your question. I think independence is partly a state of mind, a way of thinking. Journalists must be aware of any and all efforts to influence them and know how to resist those efforts. They have to steer clear of outside connections that could harm their credibility. They also must be aware of their own opinions so they can avoid letting those views influence their reporting. One question that's useful to ask about every story is this: "What would someone else, someone different from me, think about this situation?"
Q [koita-Abidjan 2]: I want to ask, does the American government help the press with its independence? If yes, How?
A [Deborah Potter]: If I understand your question correctly, you're asking how the US system of government supports a free press. One major way is through a series of laws, beginning with the US Constitution, which protects press freedom. In addition, there are open government and open records laws that provide all citizens with access to information but that also protect the right of journalists to report on government. And there are laws prohibiting prior government censorship of information. Much more could be done to make information even more free, but that's a good start.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): To read Ms. Potter's journalism handbook for the State Department, click here: http://www.america.gov/publications/books/handbook-of-independent-journalism.html
Q [GUILAVOGUI Mohamed Pévé]: What are the reasons that push journalists to disclose information that did not deserve to be unveiled?
A [Deborah Potter]: I'm not sure I know what kind of information you are referring to. Journalists in democracies are, or should be, loyal to only one cause: the public's right to know. There are, of course, community standards that may influence the tone and degree of coverage. For example, in my own community the local television stations do not show dead bodies on the air but in other places that kind of video is commonly seen on TV.
Q [preira]: Is there a way to inform people without risking their life?
A [Deborah Potter]: I certainly hope so, but I know that it is difficult and it depends on the circumstances. Journalists covering armed conflict have always been at risk. Now they are threatened for uncovering corruption or even questioning the powerful. Journalists tend to be fiercely competitive with one another but I think in this area they need to collaborate more, to shine a light on the importance of what they do and try to rally public opposition to the threats and intimidation they face.
Comment [Folli]: Simplice Agnimo: For me, total independence of journalism is not possible, because every journalist is influenced by his society and his cultural sensibilities.
A [Deborah Potter]: You make a good point, but I would argue that while journalists cannot be totally objective, they can be independent. To me, objectivity suggests having no opinions or views. Journalists are human beings, not robots. But as I mentioned earlier, what's critical is to be aware of how your upbringing, your education and all those other influences do affect your thinking and to try as much as possible to keep that from affecting your journalism.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): In case you're interested, we are having a State Department webchat on the H1N1 flu at http://statedept.connectsolutions.com/americagov at 8:00 EDT, 12:00 GMT
Q [LABTM GUINEE]: What sanctions can the international community take against a supposedly democratic country that does not respect freedom of the press?
A [Deborah Potter]: Public pressure is one thing, but its application doesn't always result in change for the better. Every year we see reports about violations of press freedoms and the situation continues to deteriorate in many countries. The US Congress is considering a law that might help make a small difference--it will require the State Department to report annually on the state of press freedom worldwide and provide grants to strengthen media independence.
Deborah Potter: Thank you so much for taking part in this webchat. I appreciate the thoughtful and challenging questions you've asked, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to talk with you about this crucial issue. I regret not having been able to answer more of your questions. Let's do this again one day soon.
Comment [diakite (abidjan)]: Thank you Deborah. I hope to have soon this kind of meeting
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): We wish to thank Ms. Potter for joining us for this webchat. The transcript will be available here in one to two days and on our Facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov.
CO.NX Moderator (Marie): This webchat is now closed. Please visit our Facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov or e-mail us at conx@state.gov. Speakers are chosen for their expertise and may not reflect the views of the U.S. Department of State.
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