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World Press Freedom Day May 3: evidence of slippage

Journalism and journalists still work under threat in Canada.

journalists, COVID-19
Journalists are out on the front lines covering the news as-it-happens during COVID-19.
 SHORT-RUN PRINTING | LAMINATING | MAIL-OUT SUPPORT

Sunday May 3, 2020 ~ NATIONAL

Analysis by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News

Sunday May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. It’s a good thing we continue to be reminded of that even with such benign messaging. What is a stronger message about the importance of freedom of the press is seeing the powerful role of journalism in covering the COVID-19 pandemic in the past few months.

World Press Freedom Day 2020
World Press Freedom Day 2020

Journalists are not only in danger of losing access to information as all institutions regionally, provincially and federally continue to strengthen protection of themselves and their processes, but are in danger of losing the opportunity to be journalists in the onslaught of advertising losses due to US social media giants like Facebook, Twitter and Amazon taking a large chunk of ad revenues (including from governments in Canada).

Recent supports for media — announced in 2018/2019 to prop up newspapers and on March 24 as mentioned in a COVID-supports rollout by the Prime Minister have served to assist the larger players or publications already participating in established programs such as through Heritage Canada. The true independent journalism enterprise remains threatened for its business survival. If the business side slips, the availability of journalism to be presented to the population is concomitantly threatened.

What is Freedom of the Press & why a day to recognize it:

Freedom of the Press is the right to circulate opinions in print or other forms of media without censorship by government. It is an important balancing tool in a democratic society.

Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

Journalism during COVID-19:

Journalists are out on the front lines and working extra-long hours during COVID-19, covering probably an even wider range of news and stories than before. And when you see them out and about, that’s only part of the job. Then they’re back to their desk (or phone station from wherever they are) writing articles and sorting and posting photos.

COVID-19, virus, timeline
The COVID-19 virus is out there. Journalists are out there. We are on the front lines.

There is increased risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, even while wearing mask and gloves, just by the sheer increased time out in the possible firing-range of the virus.

All those news reports you see on TV, read in news portals, and hear on radio are the result of journalists having gone out to gather a story (or spend extra-long hours on phone/email to gather the quotes, digging up new angles and thinking it through before writing). It’s a devotion as well as an occupation.

Journalists suffer exclusion and isolation — so afraid, some people are, that whatever they say or do will end up in the news. That is an incredibly short-sighted view of what journalists do. Your local shopping trip to the mall is of no interest to readers through a publication. Journalists think big, we piece together larger tales that reflect the pulse of the larger community.

Federal statement on Journalism:

Prime Minister Just Trudeau issued a statement today, saying that on World Press Freedom Day “we reflect on the crucial work of journalists in Canada and around the world”, adding that “we also honour the dedicated journalists who have lost their liberty or their lives while in pursuit of the truth”.

The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour’. “It reinforces the fact that press freedom cannot be achieved unless journalists can work safely, free from censorship, intimidation, and violence. When journalists and other media workers cannot investigate and report without interference, the public is deprived of reliable, accurate information and the foundation of our democracies starts to erode,” said Trudeau in a statement.

“Freedom of expression and access to information are vitally important, even more so during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Journalists are working tirelessly on the front lines, at home, and abroad to report on a rapidly evolving global health crisis,” the prime minister said. “But they are doing much more than that: they are keeping us informed and helping us stay safe.”

Acknowledgement in BC:

Finance Minister Carole James
BC Finance Minister Carole James during her media briefing on May 1, 2020.

In BC on Friday May 1, Finance Minister Carole James included a thank you to media for their hard work in covering COVID-19 in the province these past several months. It came at the end of her thank-yous to health care workers and other front line workers.

Members of the media from around the province have been participating in the daily BC Government news conferences for over 100 days on the various aspects of COVID-19 and related economic topics.

Trudeau on the role of a free press:

GDP, 2020
GDP is expected to drop 12% due to the pandemic. [CBC screenshot – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during media session on April 30, 2020]

Trudeau has long been outspoken about the role of media: “A free-thinking, independent, and respected media is the cornerstone of any democracy. One cannot exist without the other,” he was quoted in the release.

“That is why Canada continues to defend press freedom and condemn all attempts to stifle the press. It is also why, together with other members of the Media Freedom Coalition, Canada calls on all states to protect access to free media and support the free exchange of information during this pandemic.”

“Today, we recognize all the journalists and media workers who start conversations, shine light on stories that would otherwise not be told, expose injustices, and hold the powerful to account – often at great personal risk. They are a vital part of all healthy democracies and, through their work, they spur change and increased transparency that benefit all of us.”

==== About the writer:

Mary Brooke, editor and publisher
Mary Brooke, Editor and Publisher, West Shore Voice News [file photo 2018]

Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. Cert PR is a writer, editor and publisher. She is a businesswoman with journalism at the core of her service to the community.

Ms Brooke founded West Shore Voice News in 2014 (with the precursors on the west shore being Sooke Voice News in 2011-2013 and MapleLine Magazine before that in 2008-2010). She has done corporate communications and been a freelancer. Mary wrote and delivered the 36-week inaugural ‘Writing for Business & Journalism’ program at The Western Academy of Photography in Victoria in the 1990s.

Mary is devoted to journalism as the last plank of independent thought and socioeconomic analysis in our society that has become almost thoroughly systematized and politically correct, and gets so frequently abused as a channel for promotional purposes. Each year Ms Brooke delivers a presentation to high school students in Colwood about journalism as a career; this year during COVID-19 that presentation will soon be available online.