DON'T PRESS THE PRESS

DON'T PRESS THE PRESS 

Why "Press The Press"?. There is a machinery and Institution which is regarded as the Fourth Pillar and Fourth Organ or Arm of Government; The Press. The multifunctional roles the media and press play cannot be underestimated by any means. The twenty first century contemporary world is fast advancing and moving at high speeds of development in all spheres, sectors and aspects of individual human lives, cooperate organizations, governments among others.

 The Press and Media which comes in forms of print, electronic, digital media by far is such a vital organ in modern day democracy and contemporary world. This significant organ has been useful in revealing corrupt practices in leadership and governance, demanding for accountability of governments and public institutions, fetching the heard and silent voices of ordinary citizens into broad day light. The press has also helped to unveil certain untold truths in leadership, it has also helped to advocate and push for socioeconomic equality, growth and development of citizens across board.

Modern day democracy has some essential features such as the Rule of Law, fundamental human rights and freedoms, free, fair, transparent elections, independent judicial service systems, multiparty democracy among others. These important elements of democracy around the world today help in leadership, interdependent of countries on each other or one another, birthing and nurturing positive cooperations and simulating healthy foreign policies among countries across the globe.

It is therefore crystal clear that democracy will be vague, clueless and osteoporotic when there is the absence of the press and media, deliberate media restrictions and fixing of laws to prevent media and press freedom. Third May in every year has been earmarked to celebrate and observe World Press Freedom Day. The theme for celebration for the year twenty twenty is "Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation".

The contributions of free, pluralistic, independent and safe journalism and media to democracy in recent years is under unprecedented stress. The Press and Media in recent times has been under pressure, stress and uncomfortable moments. Physical attacks and assaults on journalists, unfamiliar interruptions, inappropriate government interferences and many others have cause direct and indirect limitations to the media. These uncalled for occurrences have also created unfavorable conditions for the press and thereby faulty, blurred truth reportage from the press in some cases.

Independence and absolute freedom must be granted to the Press and Media, proper legislation and support systems must be made available to the press and media. The Right to Infornation, limitless allowance of the media for coverage and reportage must be guaranteed and granted at all points. Whilst these are being fixed and put in place, the frontline leaders of the Press and Media must be ready and just to mob out and erase unqualified, unlicensed, unauthorized and unapproved journalists and media agents, agencies and organizations from the system which may in turn compromise true legal structures and systems that will tarnish the image of the Press and Media.

It is therefore undoubtedly true that the Press and Media has come to be the spine and backbone of modern day democracy, leadership, governance and society development and that must not be put under STRESS, PRESSURE OR ANY NEGATIVE PRESSING in the discharge of their duties, roles or functions. Always note "DON'T PRESS THE PRESS". 

#HappyWorldPressFreedomDay #Don'tPressThePress #DoNotStressThePress

BY: HAVI DELASI JUSTICE (...THE LIVING DELASI~)
Physiotherapy Professional, Writer, Speaker, Deaf Advocate, Multilingual, Youth Leader, Volunteer 
(+233 540651414)