Press freedom is not a reward from our rulers, it's a fundamental human right

Tanzanian journalists and media stakeholders joined their counterparts in the world to mark the world’s Press Freedom Day with fear, doubt and dashed hope. Their fear, doubt and elusive hope are caused by the brutal events that have clouded the Tanzanian media industry during the past few months. Tanzanian journalists, especially those practising ‘watchdog’ journalism that stands for public interest, are in fear because they are being hunted like animals by their tormentors. If they are not kidnapped, tortured or jailed, they are simply shot dead in cold-blood murder by those who are supposed to protect them. Some have suffered acid attacks and are still nursing the wounds till today. If they survive all these deadly attacks, their newspapers or media houses face indefinite closure from the government, simply because these journalists have angered the ruling elite. Tanzania is rapidly becoming one of the worst places to be a serious journalist and, if the situation is not controlled, we shall find ourselves in another Somalia. Press freedom in Tanzania is at the crossroads. Behind this fear, doubt and shuttered hope, there’s a misleading lie that press freedom in Tanzania is a gift from our rulers. There are those who claim that the freedom of the press we have seen in this country is a reward from our rulers, which is a pure lie and, above all, cheap propaganda. Press freedom is a fundamental human right, which is not granted by any ruler and should be protected by the constitution. If we believe that Press freedom is a reward from our rulers, then we shouldn’t be surprised if the very same rulers take that freedom back once we have angered them for reporting what they call ‘bad stories.’ No leader in the world is willing to reward journalists press freedom and it has never happened anywhere. Leaders are forced by the constitution not to grant or reward press freedom but to protect it. Have we forgotten how former US President Thomas Jefferson took a dramatic u-turn when the very same media he had once praised and vowed to protect wrote negative stories about his leadership? This is what he first said, “The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." But when the very same newspapers wrote what he disliked, the same Jefferson later on said, “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” That’s why today we call upon all journalists and all well-wishers to understand that press freedom is not a gift given on a golden plate by our rulers; it’s our fundamental right as human beings, which can only be granted and protected by the constitution. Tanzanian journalists and media owners shouldn’t be fooled at all that press freedom is a reward from our ‘beloved’ rulers. That’s a total lie. We are in the process of making our new constitution and this is the best chance to ensure that press freedom is constitutionally protected. Not only that but also journalists and media owners should defend press freedom at any cost by practising their duty professionally, legally and bravely. The government should also stop the ‘madness’ of closing newspapers indefinitely because such practice signals dictatorship and brutality. If there are journalists or media houses that have broken the law, the government should go to court to seek justice; that’s what good governance is all about.

Syria: air strike hints at change in how far Israel will involve itself in conflict

The attack on a Syria-Hizbollah weapons transfer was the second this year by the Israelis. The targets and methods were similar, convoys believed to be delivering missile systems to Hizbollah's northern Lebanese heartlands, destroyed by air force jets hovering over the Lebanon-Syria border. The way the news was immediately confirmed by officials though was very different, indicating something has changed in Israel's calculations over how far to involve itself in the Syrian disaster, and perhaps America’s too. For 18 months or more, Israel tried to turn the other way over Syria. It had no love for Syria's Assad regime - it considered itself the "heart of the resistance", supporting both Hamas and Hizbollah, Israel's most immediate foes - but the Golan Heights border was one of the few with which it seemed to have little trouble. It was a miscalculation all the same. As Iran became ever more closely involved, and America and the West stood by and watched Syria fell apart, events crystallised into what Israeli officials now start to describe as a perfect strategic storm. Iran was drawn inevitably closer in, sending military advisers and, many believe, Revolutionary Guard ground forces to bolster the regime. Tehran is determined to ensure the survival of at least some sort of "resistance" rump state, a Shia-Alawite enclave that due to its natural insecurity would be far more dangerous to Israel, more beholden to Iran, than the old, complex, heterogeneous Syria was.

PM directs intelligence agencies to sharpen clues-gathering techniques

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Justice retired Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Saturday directed the Intelligence Agencies to sharpen their information-gathering techniques so that the acts of terrorism could be foiled which might prove disastrous for the nation. The Prime Minister reiterating government's stance of zero tolerance for acts of terrorism, said that the Government would not compromise on the issue of law and order throughout the country for holding free and fair elections in a secure environment. Prime Minister Khoso was addressing the Federal Cabinet which met here to discuss the important agenda item of law and order situation with special reference to Elections 2013. The Prime Minister observed that the recent acts of terrorism were being carried out to create panic and fear amongst the masses. "Let me categorically declare that holding free, fair and transparent elections is the primary responsibility of the Caretaker Government," he added. He said that each and every patriotic citizen, irrespective of their political affiliation, realized that the country was passing through a critical phase but the Government assured the nation that with the help of Allah Almighty, it would succeed, in overcoming all problems being faced by the people. Prime Minister Khoso declared that the Caretaker Government would take all constitutional and legal steps to ensure impartiality, in collaboration with Election Commission for holding the general Elections on May 11. "Elections would be held on time following which government would be handed over to the elected representatives," he maintained. The Prime Minister alluding to national responsibility shared by each citizen, requested the masses to keep vigil on the movement of suspicious elements around them and inform the police immediately. "I am sure if every Pakistani decides to guard his homeland, cooperate with and assist the law enforcement agencies, we would defeat the criminal elements who want to destabilize the country and disturb the election process," he opined. The Prime Minister further informed that the security had been beefed up for sensitive polling stations, candidates and masses. The decision to deploy rapid response force was another step towards provision of conducive environment for the voters, he added. Expressing his optimism about active participation of voters on the polling day, PM Khoso said that he expected that all Pakistanis would come out of their houses to cast their votes for their beloved country and make the election process a success. Eulogizing sacrifices of Pakistani nation during acts of terrorism, he said his Cabinet saluted all those who had embraced Shahaadat, proving that the terrorists could not defeat the brave Pakistani citizens who offered their lives to protect the country. "I salute the Jawans of the Army, Police and Law Enforcement Agencies, who have been performing their duties with courage and dedication," the Prime Minister said.