Fourth power amid a crossroad
| DATE: 2010-05-04 | PRINT | Share
The first constitution of the Maldives contained an article in effect of press freedom, and every constitution that followed contained such articles that provided the opportunity for the citizens to express their opinions freely.
The difference, however, is with enforcing the articles included in the constitution. Maldivians are aware of the issue of implementing law and order, not only in press freedom. According to legal experts, every law should be enforced in its full spirit.
The government is the state body, which is mainly responsible for enforcing law and order. At different points in the legal history of the Maldives, different governments utilised different policies in implementing the laws. Article 27 of the current constitution grants to the public the right to freedom of expression at a broader level. The laws that should be formulated in accordance with the constitution are being formulated. The ethics, policies and the boundaries for journalism are on the verge of becoming laws. Therefore, the current phase of press freedom in the country should be considered as an infant stage or a transition period. It is certain that the right to freedom of expression, press freedom and the legal measures have not reached full development.
The next issue is observing how free speech and press environment revolve around the public, businesses, civil societies and parties of different colours. The Maldives society still lacks the spirit of receiving and accepting any of them. If a person has a stake in an organisation that has been subject to criticism, the critic is being threatened both verbally and physically.
In such situations, the critic should face threats in his or her entire life and some journalists have been psychologically affected by such threats. The psychological effects the journalists have to bear are not light compared to the other penalties.
Therefore, the government should accept press freedom in a free spirit, likewise to the legal framework. In addition to that, the public should be educated about press freedom. Although the ‘saddle’ of the journalism ‘horse’ says it is the fourth power, it does not mean the horse is able to run freely. The legal framework should be devised for this power. Doors and opportunities should be opened for journalists to work freely without any influence, not only with words or laws, but in its spirit. In retrospect, the fourth power is still in the middle of a crossroad.
| DATE: 2010-05-04 | PRINT | Share
The constitution of every country contains articles on press freedom. In addition to the nations that enforce press freedom, countries that do not practice press freedom also include articles related to press freedom in the constitution. However, there are huge differences between the two groups; while some nations enforce press freedom others just include such articles in the constitution to make the constitution appealing. Therefore, the interpretation and standards of freedom of expression and press freedom vary from nation to nation.
The first constitution of the Maldives contained an article in effect of press freedom, and every constitution that followed contained such articles that provided the opportunity for the citizens to express their opinions freely.
The difference, however, is with enforcing the articles included in the constitution. Maldivians are aware of the issue of implementing law and order, not only in press freedom. According to legal experts, every law should be enforced in its full spirit.
The government is the state body, which is mainly responsible for enforcing law and order. At different points in the legal history of the Maldives, different governments utilised different policies in implementing the laws. Article 27 of the current constitution grants to the public the right to freedom of expression at a broader level. The laws that should be formulated in accordance with the constitution are being formulated. The ethics, policies and the boundaries for journalism are on the verge of becoming laws. Therefore, the current phase of press freedom in the country should be considered as an infant stage or a transition period. It is certain that the right to freedom of expression, press freedom and the legal measures have not reached full development.
The next issue is observing how free speech and press environment revolve around the public, businesses, civil societies and parties of different colours. The Maldives society still lacks the spirit of receiving and accepting any of them. If a person has a stake in an organisation that has been subject to criticism, the critic is being threatened both verbally and physically.
In such situations, the critic should face threats in his or her entire life and some journalists have been psychologically affected by such threats. The psychological effects the journalists have to bear are not light compared to the other penalties.
Therefore, the government should accept press freedom in a free spirit, likewise to the legal framework. In addition to that, the public should be educated about press freedom. Although the ‘saddle’ of the journalism ‘horse’ says it is the fourth power, it does not mean the horse is able to run freely. The legal framework should be devised for this power. Doors and opportunities should be opened for journalists to work freely without any influence, not only with words or laws, but in its spirit. In retrospect, the fourth power is still in the middle of a crossroad.
moyameehaa ( maldives )
2010-08-14 13:12:46
all the money paid to you from our pockets as 'subsidy', and the special attention given to you such as the media zone in hulhumale'; i think it is all for nothing. the people dont get anything back, except bull***t perhaps. no different from the other three estates of this nation. a failure. actually worse than them. instead of being a watchdog, youve become pet cats. and police dogs attacking some people. you guys need to be more objective in your reporting. being able to and having the 'courage' to criticize and insult any of the other three estates is not really having a free press. you need to be free as in freedom, free as in without any shackles free. only you can make your self free from these things. you contribution to the society is very very low i must say. got so much more to work on. but i do agree with what you have said in this article. doesnt mean you can just assume ur perfect.
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