Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Information

(May 1- 13, 2005)
By Flordelyn N. Eyana

Flordelyn N. Eyana

No other time came more appropriate than the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day for 24 individuals coming from different parts of the world to gather in Gummersbach for a workshop on press freedom. It was an opportune time to assess and reflect on the situation of mass media practitioners in different democracies and to celebrate the fundamental right to receive and disseminate information without interference.

Young leaders in media, politics and non-government organizations from Zimbabwe, Egypt, Turkey, Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala, Brazil, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tibet, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines assembled at the International Academy for Leadership for the Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Information workshop.

The seminar covered the following subjects:

• Media and their importance in a democratic society
• Pluralism of opinion as a basis of liberal principles
• Working of the press in Germany as well as abroad
• Forms and problems of voluntary self-control of the press
• The importance of access to media and equal opportunities for competing opinions
• Technological development and diversity of media
• The use and application of participative seminar techniques
• Behavior in front of the camera, interview techniques
• International security and the freedom of the press and freedom of opinion
• International electronic media and their impact on world opinion

Dr. Ahmed Bedjaoui, a journalist and a journalism teacher and Heinrich Bergstresser, an editor in the German broadcasting service Deutsche Welle, were the facilitators of this seminar.

The ones who played an important role in hurdling the language barrier among participants were the competent interpreters namely, Pilar Brennan, Pablo Caravia, Ludmila Mullova and Anja Ludwiczak. Our wonderful hosting staff of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation headed by its Director Jorg Dehnert, Verena Gierszewski and Frederik Adriaenssens made sure we had everything we need to have a comfortable and memorable stay in Germany.

Situation of Media

The workshop started with an assessment of the real situation of media in regional settings. This part of the seminar was an eye-opener of the prevailing reality that problems besetting Filipino media practitioners are also experienced by those abroad: In Russia and Brazil, reporters were also threatened; in Cambodia, they were also receiving low pay; in every part of the world, they are clamoring for better condition for the press.

At this point, I was given the opportunity to raise the issue from home about the killing of journalists. The Philippines is now considered as one of the most dangerous places for journalists. And as statistics continue to rise, it becomes more and more evident that the attacks were geared towards individuals critical of corruption in government. A recognized democracy, the Philippines has been condemned for failure to address this problem and the failure to bring perpetrators to justice.

Camera Exercises

The camera exercises were the most frightening of it all; at least for me who was born camera-shy. These were also the most hilarious. Nobody really liked how they behaved in front of the camera, even the participants coming from the TV industry saw the need for improvement in the way they project a public image.

These exercises turned the tables around: the ones who used to ask the questions found themselves the ones sharing the information. We were each given a chance to be the politician for once. One thing I learned in these exercises: When you are brought into the news media spotlight, your actions and words can have a positive or negative impact. The trick is to do more than “hold your own” with the media. You must seize the moment to send your message across instead of just answering questions.

Voluntary Self-controlled Press

Ms. Ella Wassink, PR spokesperson of the Deutscher Presserat, shared with the group the workings of the German press council in standing up for the freedom of the press and in maintaining the standing of the German press. Its main work lies in examining complaints about individual newspapers, magazines or press services on the basis of the Press Code and, in justified cases, voicing disapproval and issuing public reprimands.

The work of this institution of voluntary self-control and its ability to assert its decisions have gained broad acknowledgement during the 40 years of its existence, especially concerning the protection of human rights. The handling of a great variety of different complaints coming from the public provides not only a highly qualified and practical competence for finding solutions for media-ethical problems but at the same time, it indirectly supports the establishment of truly professional ethics for the press.

In the Philippines, media organizations such as the National Press Club, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, Publishers Association of the Philippines, and the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines also exercise some form of control over their members.

Workings of the Press in Germany

Freedom of the Press in Germany is guaranteed by its basic law and it embraces independence and freedom of information, expression and criticism. The vibrancy of the press in Germany, even in the local front, was presented by Mr. Reiner Thies, the editor of the Oberbergische Volkszeitung, a local newspaper distributed in Gummersbach. It was regarded as a feat for a community paper to stand competition with the national dailies.

Further testimonies on the workings of the press in this country were presented through our visits to Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), Landesfunkhaus Niedersachsen (NDR), and Bild Zeitung.

The WDR situated in Cologne is Germany’s biggest radio and TV station and one of Europe’s largest broadcasting and television providers. Some 17 million people in the German federal state of North Rhine- Westphalia and, by way of cable or satellite, many millions more throughout Germany and Europe can receive its radio and television transmissions. WDR is a public service broadcaster that intends to serve the majority and the minorities.

A unique feature of this broadcasting station is that the public were given an active part in the design and content of programming because representatives can be elected to its broadcasting and administrative councils.

The concept of a public radio station was introduced to the participants in our visit to NDR, a regional radio station in Germany. Dr. Arno Beyer, the station director, explained that a radio station controlled by society exists not solely to gain profit but most importantly, in the name of public service.

The visit to the editorial office of Bild Zeitung, Germany’s most popular tabloid, is debatably a highlight of the group’s excursion in Hannover. Bild Zeitung is read by 12 million people in all of Germany. Mr. Bernd Schumacher, the paper’s editor-in-chief said that the newspaper is designed to cater to the ‘infotainment’ need of the common man of the streets.

International Security and Role of the Media

The traditional role of the media as reporters of the truth can play an important role in international conflicts. As discussed by Dr. Rolf Freier, a key function of the media is to give the public the information necessary to make good decisions.

Dr. Freier introduced us to the new realities existing between media and conflict. At present, there are more and faster exposure of wars and atrocities through real-time reporting and internet. We are also presented with a chance to know earlier and more information about conflict worldwide and that will equip us in prevention. The technical democratization in the media is also a crucial part of these new realities.

The question of whether media could directly or indirectly contribute to conflict escalation or de-escalation was also raised in this discussion. Studies show that terrorist attacks may be calculated to draw media attention, and so draw attention to their cause. An accurate example of this were beheadings in Iraq. On the other hand, there were media coverages, like that of war in Vietnam, that helped shape public opinion in the US which eventually forced the US to withdraw from that conflict.

Excursion

The fifth day of the seminar saw the group’s first trip outside Gummersbach to the City of Cologne. It is a 35-minute drive from the academy, which was a welcome break from days of serious discussion. The guided city tour gave everybody a historical and interesting perspective of the city that will be hosting this year’s World Youth Day. Participants got to take pictures of the majestic Cathedral and a brief walk at the park along the River Rhine.

Also for four days, the group had a new residence at the Maritim Hotel in Hannover. The Maritim is one of Germany’s best hotels. Despite its impressive amenities and accommodation, a general consensus was culled proclaiming the academy as the best place in Germany. It is obvious that most of the participants have grown an attachment to the academy as the home away from home.

During our stay in Hannover, we got to sample German nightlife and its famous beer. We also experienced the typical one-digit German weather and learned the lesson that a sun shining in the morning is an indication of rain later in the day.

Germany was celebrating a very special national holiday, the 8th of May (or the end of the World War II) while we were in Hannover. It coincided with our visit to the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, where a total of approximately 70,000 prisoners died from 1942 to 1945. I believe this is the most poignant part of our trip. I didn’t know the horror and extent of impact of the holocaust and the war was until this day. The tranquility of the camp and the flowers in bloom no way paints a comparable picture of the terror that ensued there 60 years ago.

Lessons from Gummersbach

I consider this opportunity to have participated in this very important seminar in Germany a highlight of my young professional life. It has not only given me the first chance to set foot in a foreign land but it has also instilled in me a greater appreciation of the terms freedom of the press and freedom of information.

One benefit that cannot be belittled from the 13 days I spent in Germany was the chance to be part of a mini global village. I met and developed friendships with individuals coming from the different corners of the world. Day to day conversations with them during breaks and walks, provided me with a greater understanding of the culture and tradition of other nations.

Realizing the significant role mass media plays in a democracy, I take home with me an ideology to protect the sacredness of the freedom of the press, which is enshrined in our Constitution. In terms of basic human rights, the mass media can transform the ideas of freedom of opinion and expression into a concrete reality, by being able to communicate information and ideas and by acting as a “watchdog” on public institutions and leaders.

In a democratic system, the actions and inactions of the government must be subject to close scrutiny, not only by the legislature and juridical authorities, but also by the free press and public opinion. The media is often regarded as the fourth branch of the government. Rightly so. And we must be vigilant to keep it free.

*Flordelyn N. Eyana is the media relations officer of Senate President and Liberal Party President Franklin Drilon. She lives in Marikina with husband, Larry and son, Lance.