Concord Times (Freetown)
2 October 2008
opinion
The late Emperor of Imperialist France, NAPOLEON BONARPARTE is perhaps the first statesman to give a serious thought to the relationship between the police and the press. After a series of unsuccessful effort to subjugate the Press through threats and actual use of violence and brutality, he gave up and acknowledged in the now infamous quote "the pen is mightier than the sword".
It is against this background, therefore, that I intend to discuss this topic especially when we all step back to reflect on the unfortunate events of Tuesday, 12 August 2008 at the SLPP headquarters at Lightfoot Boston Street, in Freetown and at State House involving some members of the press and some Police personnel.
The Press in Sierra Leone has generally been very supportive in their timely and effective dissemination of the restructuring and change management programs in the Sierra Leone Police since 1996 when the British-born Inspector-General of Police, Mr. KEITH BIDDLE was here. I would like to state on record my personal gratitude and, to a very large extent, the profound gratitude of the rank and file of the Police for the continued support we receive from you in our quest to enforce the law and ensure Order in our country.
Even though, generally we (the SLP) enjoy a very good relationship with the Press there are areas, I believe, that require some improvement. I shall do this by looking at the respective roles of the two institutions. I shall then discuss why we are sometimes in conflict with each other and conclude by suggesting ways on how to improve our relationship.
The Press is traditionally seen as the FOURTH ESTATE. Though not enshrined in national constitutions, the press is looked upon as the watchman of society. There are two distinct schools of thought on how the Press should play this watchdog role.
The Totalitarian School sees the press as being part of the machinery of Government. Its duty is to inform citizens about the policies and programmes of Government and to mobilize the citizens to support the realization of such policies and programmes. The Press under, believes this theory, does not see or report anything adverse about Government. Under the Totalitarian School, private individuals are not encouraged to own newspapers, radio or television. It is therefore easy for the Press to do what it is told since journalists are state employees.
The Liberal School sees the Press as the custodian of public trust. Its responsibility is to constantly search for and expose the misdeeds of public officials. It mobilizes people to protect their rights, and nudges the society towards rejecting prejudices which hinder its progress. Under the Liberal School, private individuals are allowed to own and operate newspapers, radio, and television alongside Government, which also operates its own media. The individual is then free to choose what view to accept or reject. The press under this school is said to be a market place of ideas.
Some intellectuals and statesmen have argued that the Liberal Press System is not suitable for developing societies. In their view, the Press serves as a catalyst to divide the society and dissipate its energy, which is best, harnessed for developmental purposes. They see the Totalitarian system as being more ideal because it focuses on what should be done not what is wrong. They argue that it is supportive of the society rather than disruptive.
Having weighed carefully the merits and the demerits of the two schools, it has been accepted that the Liberal School, despite its handicap, is the best for the long term development of society. But I realize its disruptive potential. If not properly managed, it can be a license for anarchy. It is this fear more than anything else which is responsible for the friction between the Police and the Press in many developing countries which operate the Liberal press system.
The Police Force as we are aware is charged with the responsibility of Internal Security including the protection of life and property, enforcement of the laws of the land and the prosecution of those who break such laws. It constantly surveys the players in the society with a view to identifying those who are capable of being used to undermine the State. The Press unfortunately has this potential, and experience has shown that some societies have been successfully undermined using the Press. The Rwanda experience readily comes to mind here!
Therefore in our search for a healthy Police/Press relationship, we must first identify the limit to which the Liberal Press must exercise its freedom. If the Press as an institution realizes it has a stake in the security of the State, then the danger is less. The problem however is that some sections of the media interpret their watch dog role too liberally. Some of them believe in the publish-and-be-damned philosophy.
In a developing society whose political infrastructure is weak and inadequate, the concept of "publish and be damned" should be revisited in the interest of cohesion and tranquility. You do not gain anything by destroying your own house in the name of searching for the truth. On the contrary, a better option is to search for the truth within a house keeping it intact. Damaging attacks on leading figures in society in the name of a watchdog role does not bode well and causes society more harm than good.
Just as I am against the lack of moderation in carrying out the watchdog role of the press, I also condemn the overzealousness and brutality in interpreting the concept of security. Some of us in the Police no doubt fail to understand that we do not and cannot afford to live in isolation. We tend to be too sensitive about the Press rather than understand it. We are quick to hide information even when it is obvious that it is public knowledge. Sometimes, by not disclosing such information, we leave room for speculation which in the long run does more harm than good.
Having said that, there is a delicate balance to maintain between giving out information to keep the public informed and keeping that information if releasing it compromises security and justice. Therefore, if the police and the press are to foster better relationship, what must be done?
The Police and the Press should in my view aim to work as partners in progress. Our collective goal is to defend the society. In carrying out this role, there will be friction, no doubt, but we can minimize it.
First, there should be constant interaction between Police Personnel and the Press. This can be through workshops and other intercourses. Other avenues of interaction could include the establishment of Press centers at Police locations especially at Regional levels to which journalists are accredited.
Second, both sides should make genuine effort to study and understand each other's profession. I have on several occasions discovered that we both have problems of basic understanding, or the lack of it, of each other's value system. By appreciating our professional values, it will be easier to agree and avoid friction or confrontation.
Third, the Press should pay greater interest to the security needs of the State. It will perhaps not be out of place for editors and media managers to draw a line on views which should or should not be published. I am in no way suggesting censorship. Far from it! Such self-restraint can deny enemies of the State access to mass communication.
Fourth, we need to avoid stepping on each other's sensibilities unnecessarily. It is wrong to use the wrongdoing of only one individual to pass judgment on the conduct of all others. The Police and the Press are both guilty of this sin but especially the Press. For example, it has become a common habit for our friends in the Press to use the misbehavior of one or a dozen police officers - like what happened at the SLPP headquarters and at State House recently - to whip up negative public sentiments against the entire Police force. They often forget so easily that whilst they sleep comfortably at night, there are many duty conscious Police personnel who patrol our dark streets and waylay armed robbers in very inhospitable conditions to defend the liberty which the Press enjoys.
Finally, esteemed members of the Press, a positive relationship is itself a product of a positive mental attitude. Both the Police and the Press are partners in bringing hope to the rest of the society. Let us therefore always view each other with a positive mental attitude. That way, we see fewer faults in each other. From my experience, that is the best way to develop and sustain a healthy relationship between our two institutions.
This article was written before the slamming of the now lifted news blackout by journalists on the activities of the police
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