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Marking Press Freedom Day

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Marking Press Freedom Day

Why Institutions and Innovations Matter

Reuters Institute,

5 min read
3 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Press freedom is essential to a healthy, functioning democracy.

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
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  • Insider's Take

Recommendation

In this interview with journalists from Chile and Kenya, Meera Selva, host of the Future of Journalism podcast from the Reuter’s Institute for the Study of Journalism, explores challenges to journalistic freedom, especially in emerging democracies. Nairobi filmmaker Maurice Oniang’o describes politicians’ intimidation tactics in Kenya, and explains why the judiciary must prosecute such unconstitutional practices. Chilean podcaster and BBC correspondent Paula Molina is optimistic that Chile will abandon its authoritarian past, but for that to happen, she says, the press must spur Chileans to address social and gender inequalities. For the press to remain free anywhere, it must be accountable, transparent and relevant to younger generations.

Summary

Press freedom is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, but proves difficult to sustain in today’s social and political climate.

In 2019, Chile experienced social unrest which exposed journalists’ “flaws” as communicators, particularly regarding inclusion and diversity. Still, according to Chilean radio, podcast and TV host Paula Molina, Chile suffers endemic weaknesses, for example, in health and education, that the media failed to anticipate and address. Chile must secure certain provisions to maintain a healthy democracy; free press among them. The nation’s constitution needs to enshrine freedom of the press if Chile wants to abandon its authoritarian past and become more vital.

According to Nairobi-based freelance journalist and filmmaker Maurice Oniang’o, Kenya’s constitution guarantees freedom of the press, but that protection doesn’t guarantee journalists’ safety. The most significant press freedom issue in Kenya is political pressure on media outlets, which rely on selling advertising...

About the Podcast

Co-founder of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network Meera Selva directs the Journalist Fellowship Programme at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and hosts the Future of Journalism podcast. Maurice Oniang’o is an award-winning freelance multimedia journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Nairobi. BBC News Mundo contributor Paula Molina founded the Chilean podcast platform, CooperativaPodcast.

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