Happy (late) World Freedom Press Day

Thought is not, like physical strength, dependent upon the number of its agents; nor can authors be counted like the troops that compose an army. The words of one strong-minded man addressed to the passions of a listening assembly have more power than the vociferations of a thousand orators.

Alexis de Tocqueville

3 May 2007 was the official Freedom of the Press Day. Its purpose is to bring global attention to the importance of the freedom of speech and the ability to be heard.

Freedom of speech is an essential pillar to democracy and quite possibly the most cherished virtue of western society. Since the American revolution and the implementation of a freer society, major nations worldwide have strove for a more liberal government and a society where one can speak his mind.

I personally believe that the freedom of the press is quite possibly the most powerful check on a government and the most effective avenue for the permeation of thoughts and ideas. Take for instance this blog, an instrument used to spread ideas and initiative thoughtful discussions. America’s grand experiment was a revolutionary idea to the world and de Tocqueville knew it, he wrote an entire book on it. The freedom of the press does not just affect political opinions alone but serves to influence all the opinions of men and modifies customs as well as laws. Without our freedom of the press we would be ignorant pawns of a devious authority, and we would be unable to proliferate the free flow of ideas which shape our society as we know it.

Unfortunately, freedom of the press over the last 25 years has diminished in many “developing” countries worldwide.

In Venezuela the top news organization is about to be shut down merely because they are unable to get their license renewed; this is an obvious attempt to silence the voices of contingent dissidents by the furtherance of a clearly political agenda.

Bolivia and Colombia have seen a massive spike in journalist murders and a severe drop vocational interest in the field of communications.

Russia, possibly the most salient of the troubled nations, is the most exemplary model of suppression, censorship and prior restraint. Their leading media organization has seemingly been taken over by the central Moscow government, accomplished by private acquiescence and indirect intimidation from the government and its leverage. Journalist murders are common events and the people of Russia have seemingly lost any right to protest or speak out against their government.

What these nationals in the developing nations need to concentrate on is going after the “Big Guys,” the corrupted corporate heads and the devious politicians deceiving their countries. The only way the journalist can fight this intimidation is by exposing the intimidation itself. However, as they go about this task they need to remember to be as fair, balanced and verifiable as possible; they must protect their sources; they must also remember that journalism is subjective in nature — there is no such thing as journalistic objectivity; and most importantly, these novel journalist need to be smart and careful — don’t walk up to some suspected drug lords in a town in Africa asking why they are burning down the village (as has been happening).

The power of words is unassailable when supported by a strong and zealous people who strive for a healthier community around them. The free flow of information is vital to the education of a strong and free mind. Long live freedom.