Role Of Journalists In Singapore example essay topic

A journalist is someone who works in the news gathering business, such as a photographer, editor or reporter. Journalism is all around us. It dominates television and surrounds us in the vast publishing industry of popularization. Journalism influence our perspectives on issues concerning us. In other words, its undeniable that journalism has a deep impact on our lives. There are two sides to journalism - good journalism and bad journalism.

According to K. Minogue, the journalist has the power to mould the information they receive into "propaganda" or they could just report the news with additions of both side of the story. Journalism could even cause a political uproar like uncovering the Watergate scandal that forced President Nixon of the USA from office in 1974. Hence, it is very important that a journalist follow a code of ethics to maintain peace and harmony among the people. I agree that even though journalists are said to have a freedom of expression or speech, they still have to have public responsibilities. In Singapore, we journalist have to watch what we say in delicate matters like September 11 attacks and the current Japanese - China issue. The September 11 attacks may cause our society to be more weary of the Muslims in our society.

As journalists, we must we careful not to generalize that all Muslims are extremists. What we can do is to ask our Muslim community on their opinion on the terrorists' acts and publish it in the news. Since Singapore is a cosmopolitan city, racial and religious matters must be treated diplomatically and fairly. The other races would then be able to understand the Muslims better. Understanding each other would really help nation building as there is social cohesion and thus Singapore would be a peaceful and harmonious home for all.

Honesty is another aspect which is very significant. Journalists should observe the common standards of decency and stand accountable to the public for the honesty and accuracy of their news reports. A journalist should not modify or influence any information that goes into their hands. They could do so by using suggestive words and withholding necessary information. Many a time journalists try to create a hype or to make their paper sell like hotcakes by compromising honesty.

In Singapore, it is written in the Singapore Journalists' Code of Professional Conduct that we are to report and interpret the news with scrupulous honesty. A dishonest journalist would face charges by the court. Being independent would mean that there is no government influence in the media. The Singapore Press Holding (SPH), the leading newspaper publisher in Singapore, is a private holding company. However, the Singapore government has a system of controlling every media outlet through annual licensing requirements.

Several foreign news organizations have been fined in Singapore like The Economist magazine. It seems to Bill Kovach, a journalist and writer for forty years and the founding director of the Committee of Concerned Journalists and its programs that the government and journalism work hand in hand together. He states, Without journalism, without a steady, reliable flow of independent information without which the creation, care and continuation of a public opinion would not be possible - self government would disappear. Journalism and self government will rise or fall together. (Kovach B, 2002) Thus, I believe that the publishers in Singapore should not a be totally independent of the government as through journalism, it would help to increase understanding between the government and the public. Defending the principle of tight regulation of the media, at a meeting with journalists in December (2004), Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore Minister Mentor, said, The role of journalists in Singapore is that of contributing to the nation's development and is not necessarily adversarial, as in the West.

'We are not that daft We know what is in our interests and we intend to preserve our interests. (Lee K. Y, 2004) Insisting on the need for responsible media, former Prime Minister Goh Cook Tong said in a January interview, Can we practice the kind of liberal democracy they have in the US? I think it is difficult because the individuals come first, whereas in our case it is a multi-racial society living in a competitive place. We must make sure society's interest comes first'.

(Mr Goh C.T., 2004) It is evident that our government is protecting the nation's well-being. Singapore's social cohesion has been built up since independence. I'm glad that the government is protecting her multi-racial society from disintegration that may arise from insensitive articles. Hence, there is a need that SPH is under the scrutiny of the government. Respect of others is important in journalism. Journalists depend heavily on personal recounts and third parties accounts as sources for their reports.

Pledges of confidentiality to news sources must be honored at all costs, and therefore should not be given lightly. Unless there is clear and pressing need to maintain confidence, sources of information should be identified and properly acknowledged. If the trust is violated, the journalists would face difficulties in getting news from the public. There are also laws against libel and invasion of privacy, as well as limits on what reporters may do in order to get a story. Therefore, the Australian Journalists' Code of Ethics is right to a certain extent for journalism around the world especially Singapore. Australia and Singapore differ in culture and governance, hence some of the principles may not work in the latter country.

Singapore has to provide more protection in journalism to preserve the diverse culture she has. Thus its natural for the government to be more strict by imposing fines if a journalist publish unethical news. This would strengthen the bond of trust of the people in Singapore.

Bibliography

Goh C.T. (2004) in International Press insitiute.
2004 World Press Freedom Review web KY (2004) in International Press insitiute.
2004 World Press Freedom Review web K.