Press freedom attracts intimidation, timidity, self-censorship - Dixit

Disna MUDALIGE

Journalists must be introspective to make sure they have done everything on their part before blaming others over press freedom, Senior Nepali journalist and publisher of Himal Khabarpatrika a fortnightly, and editor, Himal Southasian, a monthly publication, Kanak Mani Dixit said.

He was delivering a special guest lecture on Media Freedom in South Asia in the Light of Self Censorship at the Sri Lanka Press Institute organized by the SLPI Press Club yesterday.

He said in his address: "Journalists must look at themselves in the mirror and decide whether they have done their role properly to be worthy of being called journalists.

"The larger arena where the public do not get the journalism they deserve is through self censorship.

"The issue of self censorship, which does a greater harm, has not been discussed much as obvious issues of attacks on press freedom.

"When one lacks the courage, rigour or self confidence to challenge the authority, or when one keeps to the easy path of pointing the finger at the demagogue and going silent, there I believe occurs self censorship.

"The volume of timidity among journalists, their support group and civil society commentators is high, and the threat of the demagogue, populism and in-house problems within media houses have contributed towards the timidity among journalists.

"No country is exemplary, on the other extreme when talking of press freedom everywhere there is intimidation, timidity and self censorship.

"It is difficult for people to go against the flow. The issue of self censorship affects strongly when it comes to vernacular and local level journalism" Dixit said. Senior journalists and invitees participated.