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By Reda Fhelboom*
(The Libyan Association For Free Media)
Under the regime of Al Qathafi, Libyans did not have access to free media which in its print and audio-visual forms was dedicated to the praise and glorification of the leader over the last four decades.
When the revolution broke out things started to change with the emergence of scores of news outlets that reported on and exposed the atrocities committed by the army and mercenaries of the old regime.
These news outlets ran huge numbers of footage and pictures about what was going on in Libya, attracting world attention to the tragedy of the Libyan people. Libya al Hurra channel, based in Benghazi, and Libya al Ahrar channel in Doha went to great lengths in countering the lies and rumours propagated by the dictator's media.
This trend was further consolidated following the liberation of Tripoli with the launch of several satellite channels like Libya satellite channel, Homeland and Libya first,Libya TV, Misurata and Tupax, to name just a few.
In spite of this flurry of media work, these channels fell short of meeting people's need for timely news. They failed to cover events inside Libya, prompting people to turn to channels like Al Arabiya to follow the news of Abu Salim gun battles on October 14.
The crew of one Libyan channel called The Capital Channel filmed the fighting but was prevented from airing it.
Another case in which media failed to live up to ethical standards was when a group of revolution fighters stormed the headquarters of Libya Alhurra channel on September 29 looking for a presenter who they said had insulted the revolution. The channel's management instead of deciding to broadcast the news of the incursion proceeded to suspend the news anchor from work.
Some channels covered the news of certain specific cities and ignored others in spite of the big role they played in the February 17 revolution. They also promoted the image of certain personalities at the detriment of patriotic figures who contributed a lot to the success of the revolution.
This failure is compounded by the incompetence of some show hosts, shows presenters and content producers. Other problems vary from flagrant spelling mistakes on the ticker to lack of in-depth knowledge of stories and poor command of language.
There are also problems related to interaction with the viewers. Most of the time, viewers call to comment on issues raised in talk shows and forums but they always find the lines busy or cut off.
This does not mean, though, that people do not pitch in with their own comments and views. They do. But they are people hand-picked by the channels to share their views on air. This practice is reminiscent of what TV stations used to do under the ousted regime of Al Qathafi when news presenters used to receive calls from callers sitting in rooms adjacent to the studio.
These new media outlets also ignore viewers' emails and refuse to answer them. The only hope to get an answer is to know some of their staff and ask to get an answer or make a contribution.
Some of these channels are run by people who care only about their own interests and agendas. Some appointed their children and relatives to positions in these channels regardless of the fact that they don't have the appropriate qualifications to fill the job.
What this situation tells about the running of some TV channel is that they are infested with favouritism, their coverage are poisoned with hidden agendas, while competent journalists are sidelined.
What the Libyans need right now is to have channels that respect ethics of transparency and professionalism and serve to enable people across the board and from all over the country to participate in the social and political life. They need to have TV stations that raise awareness among people about their basic rights that are stipulated in all world constitutions and conventions.
In Libya after the revolution, channels should be rid of managers who monopolise the right to decide on the issues that matter for coverage and who run these institutions as if they are their own private property.
Freedom of media means that transparency should be upheld. It also means reporting on truths, exposing mistakes and trying to correct them.
As such, media freedom has to be practiced in line with regulations in order to punish wrongdoing and those who endanger national unity through incitement on killing, retribution and appeals to tribal unrest.
February 17 revolution was not against one individual or family but was meant to undermine an entire system that had its own ideology and autocratic way of governance.
Repression in Libya became complete when utter disregard for the opinion of the other became the rule and when life was reduced to one opinion, one style of thinking and one political hue. The only way to dig ourselves out of this situation is to free civil society by freeing media.
(*Reda Fhelboom wrote this piece early November for The Doha Centre for Media Freedom (http://www.dc4mf.org/en/special-reports/719), which is currently running a programme to support Libya's media.) |
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| Name:
Mohamed Eljarh |
Date: 24/11/2011 14:57:05 |
Comment:
Excellent work Reda!
The media plays pivotal role in any country, let alone Libya, a country going through a difficult transitional period faced with countless challenges ahead.
What we need is an ethics body that is independent from government control to work as a watchdog for the media and Libya and regulate the work of the Media industry. Also, ensure freedom of investigative press. |
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| Name:
Ruta |
Date: 26/11/2011 00:16:05 |
Comment:
The martyr brother leader has endeared himself to billions around the world with his brave principled stand and shall forever remain an inspiration for generations to come around the world. Long live the brave Lion of Africa! Long live Dr. Saif al Islam! Allah, Muammar, Libya, wa bes! Allah, Seif, Libya, Wa Bes!! |
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