World Press Day: Its freedoms ‘carry responsibility’ for us all
by John Bowen, MJE
May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. A day to celebrate press freedom.
On her Facebook post May 3, colleague Barb Hipsman Springer wrote, “as journalism goes, so goes democracy. Remember that freedoms carry responsibility for you, too.”
Noble words and commitments. Such statements often receive forceful agreement. Cheers and applause. A raised fist. All warranted, but maybe not enough.
April 29, Plain Dealer editor Chris Quinn, in a letter from the editor, raised another idea, one he said might seem out of place, especially to journalists.
The letter from the editor can be found here.
Quinn’s premise was that, “We are champions on the First Amendment here, and it protects anonymous speech.”
Quinn also cited the part anonymous speech in America’s history.
“With other forums, such as social media,” he wrote, “are we doing the region a disservice by omitting perspectives from those who wish anonymity? Is it not the thought that counts.”
“The nation is polarized to the point of paralysis. Elected leaders bent on destroying democracy exhort their followers to violence. Everyone, it seems, has a gun. We see crazed people, swayed by those exhortations, striking out almost every day, which frightens many from speaking out and drawing attention to themselves.”
–Chris Quinn, editor Plain Dealer
The point here is not to agree or disagree, but to start meaningful discussions that lead to common ground so the communities can take effective action, including the global ones.
For example, the question of anonymity.
Scholastic student media could host community and school forums to share the pros and cons of the issue to develop an action plan to test principles involved.
This is but one option for students to address free expression. Imagine other possibilities:
• Takedown guidelines. Students media have been besieged by former students wanting information removed from archives of student media. What guidelines could satisfy most requests?
• Freedom of expression. A continuing goal of student journalists and educators has been to get real freedom of expression for student media. Active programs, like New Voices, are supported and encouraged by JEA, SPLC and other state and local groups. Students become important spokespeople for local communities. They can host local forums to gather support, present educational sessions and train local adult citizen journalists.
• Whatever else advisers and students might do to engage knowledgeable and active supporters, an essential goal is to assist communities as they become engaged active citizens.
“Times have changed since the suggestion of accepting anonymous letters caused an audible gasp by editors,” Quinn wrote. “The nation is polarized to the point of paralysis. Elected leaders bent on destroying democracy exhort their followers to violence. Everyone, it seems, has a gun. We see crazed people, swayed by those exhortations, striking out almost every day, which frightens many from speaking out and drawing attention to themselves.”
What will you do to further daily press freedoms today, and to plan press freedom and trust in media by all students and schools – every day?
Resources
• Takedown requests
• Law – ethics manuals
• New Voices (SPLC)
• New Voices (JEA)