Tracing its roots back to the turn of the 19th century, the Fourth Estate loosely refers to the press - the so-called gatekeepers of democracy, whose role is traditionally viewed as that of a watch dog.
It also serves as a conduit for citizens who ordinarily have no voice, to be heard. The current state of the media in Guyana is a contentious subject. Like everywhere else in the world, it has not escaped the advent of the Internet, and the new technology which enables cell phones to take photographs and record videos. Like the rest of the world, the new technology heralded the citizen reporter. A welcome and arguably even a necessary "tool" in many cases, moreso in these times of increased killings and abuses by law enforcement.
The press is duty bound to report not only fairly and freely, but it has to so do in an ethical manner. The basic tenets are that journalists are to remain neutral and refrain from opining, speculating and, importantly, from using language considered inflammatory and inciting.
Journalism 101 dictates that whether used in a subtle or overt manner, incendiary language has the same effect and has no place in the reporting of news events.
The aforementioned leads me to the reporting on Wednesday's unrest at Buxton, East Coast Demerara by Editor/Presenter of HGPTV Travis Chase. The hour long live report bore the hallmarks of the caption of this piece. It was quite disturbing to hear this "reporter" in the course of his broadcast go down the slippery slope of rank speculation. "
Coming upon a truck blaze in the middle of the public road, as opposed to simply reporting that, stated " I think that there is need now for the riot squad to step in." To further compound his egregious actions, Chase then proceeds to repeat his earlier statement to Police Commander Parsram of C Divsion. "At which time would you ask the riot squad to step in here cause look a vehicle is on fire," was Chase's remark to Parsram. To his credit, Commander Parsram, stated in no uncertain terms that he would not ask the riot squad to step in, as "we're engaging the residents."
While, an escalation of the situation would have made for more copy for reporters, it is most unprofessional to suggest any action that could have lead to same.
I will not speculate as to Chase's credentials, or lack thereof, in the area of law enforcement, but suffice it to say, a reporter's role is solely to report the facts as is. Suggestions are for editorials and commentaries. They have no place in the reporting of a news story. Chase failed to observe the basic tenet of journalism, that is to report the news objectively/ impartially without interjection of opinion and belief.
After the commander ignored Chase's call, the reporter then rambled on about it being a difficult situation that "the police needs to pacify." "They need a trained negotiator. Someone to step in and speak to the residents, a specialist." Just as Chase suggested there is a need for a trained negotiator in the police force, perhaps he should look within, since there is a desperate need for trained journalists and broadcasters in Guyana.
The entire live broadcast smacked of a lack of professionalism. From "the police are attempting to clear the road of burning flames", "the police attempted to put out another pile of fire," to him telling a protestor who said no faces on camera, "don't threaten me. Is not today I doing this." The foregoing is an example of the current state of the media in Guyana.
Such an unprofessional broadcast, calls Chase's qualifications, or lack thereof into question. Surely the attendance of a communications class or journalism training workshop, would have among the basics, ethics as a core part of its instruction. In which case, Chase would not have asked
questions which could be viewed as inflammatory. More so given the volatile nature of the situation.
In the 1990s, the broadcast media in Guyana grew from just the state owned radio GBC and GTV stations to a couple of privately owned entities such as WRHM and VCT. Later came NBTV and HGPTV 16. The latter, which was established in 1993, as a community station, subsequently began sending "reporters" armed with cameras and began to produce a daily newscast.
In other words, citizen reporters masquerading as journalists. Whilst some persons may take umbrage with that statement, the following reasons outlined arguably, make the case for such a claim.
None of the "reporters" or "presenters" at the time were transplants from the mainstream media. They were unknowns with equipment. This is unlike WRHM and VCT although new in the tv broadcast arena, at their helms sat not only seasoned, but trained newsmen like Enrico Woolford and Adam Harris. They served to guide and in turn train new reporters. Their mastery of the language, as well as pronunciation remain impeccable.
The emergence of new technology and social media, paved the way for the citizen reporter. Anyone with a cellphone and a social media page fancies themself a reporter. Hence, the menace of types such as The Guyanese Critic and his ilk not only operating, but being recognised as if they were bona fide media operatives. In fact, depending on their allegiance and alliances these types suddenly have access to government officials to the point of interviewing such officials.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the citizen reporter issue is rife with problems. Mainly, because it allows for the untrained to run amok. As a result, it is a breeding ground for conjecture and speculation of the highest order. There are no checks and balances. They post anything and everything at will without much thought to libel and slander laws. Social media too plays a great role in the spread of disinformation, propaganda and the like.
The aforementioned begs the questions: does the accreditation process still exist? What are the criteria? Is there an oversight body? What role does the Guyana Press Association play, if any, on adherence to standards in the media?
In conclusion, the role of the reporter/journalist/broadcaster is not one to be taken lightly. As such, the poor writing and broadcasts that seem to be the order of the day are bringing a once noble profession into a sorry state of disrepute. (Photo The Guyana Chronicle)
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