Sandton Sun - 25 July 2000
There is a saying from the Grebo people of Liberia that goes, "the mosquito says "if you want a person to understand you, speak in his ears". This means that if you want to be understood or to persuade people, you do not send another person, you pass the message yourself. This is a lesson in effective communication. For our journalists to be heard, they need to speak not only for themselves but they must speak in such a manner that they are heard by those they are speaking to.
A lot of debate has taken place in recent times about the role that is played or should be played by the media in our society.
One of the crucial elements of that debate has been the issue of press freedom versus patriotism.
Needless to say, there has not been a universally accepted conclusion to this debate and indeed we are not likely to find a single truth no matter how much time and energy we devote to the topic.
It is therefore left to individual journalists to decide what stance to take on matters that concern our continent as it strives to take its place in the global community. There is no denying the importance of the role that the media plays in shaping the path of any society. This is particularly so in democratic countries where media freedom is guaranteed.
On the African continent, the media play a crucial role in determining many aspects of our lives and shaping public debate and perceptions about the continent. How we see ourselves as individual countries and as a continent, how we are seen by others outside of the continent and, ultimately, how we relate to each other, is largely attributable to this one powerful sector of our society -the media.
This is so in spite of the fact that many members of the media might prefer to view themselves as occupying a space outside of this and in that way satisfy themselves that they are indeed "independent".
Ladies and gentlemen, occupying such an integral part of our society as you do, you are very much at the centre of efforts to reshape the continent. Therefore we cannot realistically say that media independence translates into complete detachment from the common social agenda of our country and our continent.
Ours is a developing continent and our media ought to recognise that reality and be part of it. Therefore the story of Africa and the huge task that faces our leadership in turning around the negative perceptions of Africa can no longer be left to outsiders alone. It can also not be left to people who have no clear understanding of the challenges that face the continent. We therefore need to produce, in Africa, a type of journalist that understands clearly what needs to happen if Africa is to unshackle herself from the chains of backwardness and to redefine its agenda, thus correcting its legacy.
I believe that there are four elements that are required of this type of journalist, and these are, unwavering integrity, uncompromising independence, commitment to the truth and most importantly patriotism. These qualities are important to ensure that the story that is told about our continent reflects not only the ugly realities of Africa but also the beauty and the hope that is so much a part of our continent.
We are gathered here today to honour those members of this noble profession who have, in our eyes and in the eyes of their colleagues, fulfilled all the above principles. There can be no doubt that these African men and women will one day take their place in the history of our continent for having boldly and truthfully recorded its history and having played an important role towards the establishment and consolidation of democracy in the continent.
We honour them also to encourage journalistic excellence, to acknowledge valiant efforts and acknowledge courageous, professional integrity in our journalists. After all they are our ears and our eyes.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating these sons and daughters of Africa who have made us proud. May they continue to be a source of inspiration to their colleagues in their profession and to us all as Africans.
I thank you.