Journalism and politics are two ways of serving society. The two should thus converge to render a service to the people. That, in a nutshell, was the message Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi wanted to convey when he addressed an event organised by the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism three years ago.
Nobody would challenge that. If anything, well-meaning politicians and journalists worth their salt constantly strive to find ways and means to better such cooperation. They strive to maintain the best possible rapport while being extra careful not to get so close that it becomes uncomfortable for either side to do their job without fear or favour, as society rightly expects them to do.
Such mutual respect and understanding assures society of a thriving democracy. Admittedly, it is not always easy to strike the right balance. It is not unusual for an inquisitive press to be regarded by politicians as over-intrusive and sensationalistic. Likewise, there are cases where executive or political decisions are deemed by journalists as verging on or indeed violating the right of freedom of expression.
Most times, such sentiments are sparked off by reading too much into a situation or a decision. Then, when the dust settles, both parties realise it was only a misunderstanding or blowing something out of proportion.
One can only augur that a number of instances that ruffled the feathers of the media recently were merely the result of the wrong choice of words or perhaps an overreaction.
The Times has already had occasion to make it evident it took exception to comments made by the Chief Justice about questions it put to him on delays in court. The matter was raised in an editorial on June 13.
In that same week, the President called on the media not to carry pictures of members of the judiciary, especially those working in the criminal courts.
Only on Wednesday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, reacting to a request by the government Whip, urged the media not to hinder MPs on their way to Parliament. He recalled a ruling on those lines he had given last October.
One fully understands what the President had in mind when he made his appeal. He need not worry because serious journalists weigh a situation very responsibly even when deciding whether to carry a picture or not. Which does not mean that they do not make mistakes. Of course, they do because they are only human.
In this regard, one can only hope that the President’s appeal does not prompt some overenthusiastic politician to push for executive orders.
The same applies with regard to journalists covering Parliament. Let there be reasonable rules that journalists must comply with. However, MPs, who are not usually camera-shy, cannot expect to get the Speaker to keep journalists at bay when the going gets tough – as the case is now for the government – but lay a red carpet when they want to sing their own praises.
Would the government Whip now take his appeal further and urge the party leader who is, of course, also the Prime Minister, to instruct his Cabinet ministers to use the back door when going to their office or when attending some public event?
This editorial should ideally not have been written because, as was mentioned earlier, the press and politicians work hand in hand. They should and indeed do understand each other. Provided that no side resort to any excesses.