What is journalism? It is more than the act of reporting; it is the practice of truth-telling, accountability, and amplifying voices that would otherwise remain unheard. At its core, journalism is the channel through which power is held accountable to the people. Yet, in our context, even as media expands and individuals grow bolder in speaking up, there remain troubling signs of regression.
Gag orders, summons, and coercive apologies are still weaponized to silence dissenting voices. Such acts reveal a mindset still stuck in the past, a refusal to let go of outdated notions of control.
History teaches us that such efforts at silencing cannot endure forever. Societies evolve, and archaic practices eventually crumble under the weight of progress. The day is not far when gag orders will be viewed with ridicule and those enforcing them will be seen as relics of a bygone era. Freedom of expression is not a gift from authority; it is a fundamental right. The challenge lies not in waiting for an outdate generation to pass but in actively resisting these pressures today, for the world is moving forward at a pace too swift for us to lag behind.
The troubling reality is that even now, journalists are summoned by non-legal bodies and made to answer to verdicts outside the ambit of law. These kangaroo courts are a mockery of justice, undermining the very spirit of democracy. A time will come when those who intimidate journalists will be exposed and condemned as ignorant remnants of a darker age.
But liberty is not absolute. Individuals, including journalists, must exercise their freedoms within the framework of law. Criticism is part of that framework. Just as governments, politicians, and civil society organizations must be scrutinized, journalists too must face scrutiny. Journalism is not above accountability; in fact, credibility is its lifeline. The public has the right to measure a journalist’s caliber, to differentiate between genuine truth-seekers and mere public relations agents or ‘influencers’ masquerading as journalists or reporters.
It must also be mentioned here that merely translating news content from English into local vernaculars is not journalism. Journalism is not the mechanical transfer of words across languages; it is the pursuit of truth, the asking of uncomfortable questions, and the illumination of realities that some would rather keep hidden.
For journalism to truly thrive, society must become more media literate. Only an informed public can distinguish between authentic journalism and superficial content, between courageous truth-seekers and those content with convenience, and between real journalism and the parroting of the powers-that-be. Supporting credible journalists while dismissing mediocrity is not just a duty of the press but of the people they serve. Freedom of expression will prevail not by default but by choice, by citizens who demand honesty, accountability, and courage from their journalists, and who in turn are willing to defend them against attempts at silencing. In that shared responsibility lies both the strength of democracy and the true essence of journalism.
