Assuming three things: that ethnic tensions between Indians and Africans are worsening; that a significant contributor (some would say the main contributor) is politics; and that mainstream mass media remain a legitimising conduit for racial rhetoric, is it time for media leaders to agree on self-censorship in their coverage of racially provocative statements/events?
We have come through a divisive and desperate Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election which will be remembered for Hilton Sandys Calcutta ship announcement, the failure of his PNM party to censure him in an unprecedented way, and the Governmentunder the banner of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP)milking it for all its political poison. And thats only one very recent event. We wait in trepidation for local government and general elections.
The country is at a crossroads, saturated with discontent and resentment. Trauma at the loss of political reins is raw among some Africans and translatesin uniquely Trinidadian termsas Indians taking over, which in turn draws from the equally unique Trinidadian proverb Indians have land and money; Africans have political power.
The present Government, meanwhile, promised a coalition that represents and treats equally with all peoples but quickly turned into a UNC Government consumed with old racial prejudices and a rabid desire to equalise government patronage by unethical means. That the UNC found a new face and voice to spew old prejudices born of self-hate has been a handful of salt in racial wounds.
All this is happening in a climate of exceptional violence, short tempers, unending cries for justice, and plenty, plenty guns. Is it time, then, for mass media to prevent circulation of news that can potentially incite that which I will not name but which most of us fear?
See the article here:
Media self- censorship
Home national New rules needed for self-censorship: Supinya
Broadcasting
Opas Boonlom The Nation March 17, 2013 11:01 pm
She will float the proposal with the broadcasting committee on Monday, when they are scheduled to consider Channel 3s action for "Nuamek" series, she said.
The airing of Nuamek was abruptly suspended.
Supinya said the new rules are necessary given a similar action by Thai PBS, in abruptly ending the airing of the Fridays episode of the "Tob Jote Prathet Thai" (Answering Thailand's Questions).
"I believe that Thai PBS had knowledge of the programme detail. As such, it should not have made the decisionto prematurely stop the programme. Some contents are related to the lese majeste or national security laws, but these are screened by the editor. The decision could have been socially or politically motivated. Without the decision, the station may upset the public. But the decision clouds the media environment. Viewers benefits should also be taken into account," she said.
She also mentioned that the programme host, Pinyo Traisuriyathamma, could file a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission. Under the Constitutions Article 46, freedom of TV stations employees is to be protected against the station owners influence.
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New rules needed for self- censorship : Supinya
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