Dangerous but pivotal times for Journalism as state surveillance intensifies
As a student of journalism, we are taught the value and importance of truth-telling. We are supposed to stay neutral in times when the environment is partisan. As journalists, we must be unbiased in our work. Journalism is a voice for the people and acts as a bridge between the polity and the government.
No wonder why journalism is given the stature of a fourth estate. One of the important aspects of journalism is its ability to hold the rich and powerful accountable for their actions. As a result the work of journalists are being clamped down as the governments in power are increasing their surveillance on public and massive amounts of data.
Journalism has branched out massively in recent times. The use of technology and different social network platforms have enhanced the possibilities of creating and sharing news. On one side journalists can break a story when and where they want without having to wait for the editor to approve. On the other side, the rise of citizen journalism where normal people who can’t be classified as journalists are breaking, analysing and interpreting news items.
It seems that both of the above are threatening governments. Two recent legislations- one in Pakistan and the other in United Kingdom are prime examples as to how the state is trying to clamp down on free speech and indirectly affecting the functioning of effective journalism.
Firstly Pakistan, the recent law which came into action on August 2016, the Prevention of Electronic Cybercrimes Act is one which allows the government to keep track of information being passed around on the we. It also gives power to the authorities to arrest and punish the ones who are spreading information which transgresses the “glory of Islam” or disrupt “friendly relations between states.”
This does not only limit the scope of the citizens to have open debate regarding their country and religion but creates a major risk for journalistic work.
This is concerning especially after the incident when Pakistani journalist Cyril Almeida was put on the “Exit Control List” in October, due to an article he wrote for the Dawn. The government thought that the article exposed sensitive information and Mr. Almeida was prohibited from leaving Pakistan.
According to an article by Bina Shah, the the act is seen as a result of Pakistan being a new democracy and they not being well versed being the principles of free speech. Also the government of Pakistan, as she states, perceives the freedom of expression as a threat to their authority.
In the same article she quotes Haroon Baloch, who says that such a law makes the work of journalists, academia and researches very difficult and almost impossible.
Now moving on to the United Kingdom. The passing of the Snooper Charter Bill has given the government the right to gain access to public data. The law calls for the web and IT companies to compile all the web histories whereas the police and the security services can have access to the compiled data. it also gives them the right to hack into phones and computers and collect data.
This law has been hailed as a “death sentence” for investigative journalism. Similarly to the Cybercrime Act, the Snooper Charter bill will directly affect the efficiency of journalism as it threatens to expose the sources who are inevitable to the cause.
This was shocking move from the government of UK who boasts of enough technological knowhow to track patterns and movement of certain data and can target them, instead of trying to find a needle in a haystack of public data.
The point here is, through both the above examples, there is one clear consequence i.e. journalistic work is being undermined and sabotaged.
On one side it can be perceived that these are dark times for journalism. No, “dark” may not be the correct word; “dangerous” is better. Seeing what is happening to journalists in Turkey, upcoming journalists like me sometimes do think twice about choosing this profession.
The current circumstances are not only questioning but also attacking the credibility of journalism. That’s why this is the time when journalists should come together and stand up for not only their rights but also for the freedoms of the people. As bleak as the situation seems, this is also the most pivotal time for journalism.
I would like to end on a positive note. When the state is questioning, attacking and trying to suppress voices, then we as journalists are doing a good job. So why stop now?
