World Press Freedom Day |03 May 2023
Journalists call for respect in Seychelles
‘Freedom of expression as a driver for all human rights’
On May 3 we media people commemorate the World Press Freedom Day. This year's theme is, ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights’.
World Press Freedom Day is usually to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During the year 2022 up to now, we have seen a few events where media people were being mistreated or being called names. A peaceful protest was organised by the Association of Media Practitioners of Seychelles and also a few press statements were shared and published condemning some acts against the media.
The theme this year is quite appealing and calls for all media people to be more alert in our daily job in order to become the driver for all human rights.
Seychelles NATION contacted a few media houses for their comments on the following: Do you think we as journalists in Seychelles have this freedom? What have been the major challenges for the media recently? Is the media doing enough for the promotion of human rights? Moving forward how do you view the media landscape in Seychelles?
Rassin Vannier – Seychelles News Agency and Chairperson of AMPS
Pensez-vous que les journalistes seychellois jouissent de cette liberté ?
Aux Seychelles, les journalistes jouissent d’une grande liberté pour faire leur travail, nous avons accès à l’ensemble des informations disponibles, et en cas de besoin nous pouvons toujours avoir recours à la Commission des médias. Quand je vois, que dans certains pays les journalistes sont assassinés pour faire leur travail, ici aux Seychelles, nous travaillons dans des conditions qui sont totalement différentes.
Mais il y a encore quelques années, cette liberté était différente et il faut toujours être attentif, pour ne pas perdre les acquis.
Quels ont été les principaux défis auxquels les médias ont été confrontés récemment ?
Être journaliste, c’est avoir envie d’apprendre quelque chose aux gens. On ressent une certaine fierté d’avoir pu apporter un scoop en diffusant une information.
Beaucoup de fois les journalistes ont envie d’informer différemment sur ce qui se passe, mais les gens sont de plus en plus retissant à donner l’information ou à comprendre la nécessité de communiquer.
Cela reste une des préoccupations du journaliste. Vous pouvez avoir une information importante pour l’intérêt du public, mais si personne n’est disposée à dire quelque chose, où refuse de vous confirmer l’information, cela ne pourra pas être diffusée, et trop souvent cela arrive aux Seychelles.
On peut aussi parler du manque de journalistes, beaucoup de maison de presse sont en manque d’effective, car les jeunes hésitent à prendre une carrière dans le journalisme.
Les médias font-ils assez pour promouvoir les droits de l'homme ?
Je crois que l’on doit travailler plus ensemble pour promouvoir la liberté des droites de l’homme. Rapporter les problèmes liés aux violations des respects des droits de l’homme dans la société, c’est aider notre pays à avancer vers plus de respect et de tolérance.
Je crois que le thème, qui a été choisi cette année, est un bon moyen de nous aider ensemble avec la commission des droits de l’homme de voir, comment on peut mieux travailler.
Informer les gens sur leurs droits fondamentaux permet à une société d’avoir des acquis solides. A chaque fois que les médias rapportent sur les problèmes que font face les travailleurs étrangers, des femmes qui font face aux violences domestiques, ou bien à la maltraitance des enfants, on aide la société a progresser.
À l'avenir, comment voyez-vous le paysage médiatique aux Seychelles ?
Pour l’instant, la presse seychelloise se porte bien, mais j’ai bien peur que les médias privés subissent la montée d’Internet, ou toutes les informations sont accessibles.
Il ne reste qu’un seul média qui continue d’avoir des journaux imprimés, mais face aux coups de la production d’un journal, les autres ne sont plus accessibles qu’en version numérique.
C’est un peu dommage parce que, quand on parle de la liberté de la presse, un des fondamentaux, c’est d’avoir toute une panoplie de journaux qui expriment différents points de vue.
Tessa Henderson – Secretary of Seychelles Media Comission
Do you think we as journalists in Seychelles have this freedom?
Freedom of the press is guaranteed through our country's legal framework. While it creates the legal space for media houses to exist, media practitioners to formulate news and put it out in various forms to the public and most importantly guarantee the protection of the journalist (e.g. through the protection of sources and decriminalisation of defamation & arbitration of complaints through the Seychelles Media Commission) - the 'freedoms' are not necessarily being enjoyed fully.
Yes, laws are in place, unfortunately they are outdated and media practitioners themselves are not familiar with the legislations, policies and codes that permit them to work within the bounds of freedom of the press. There is also a need for the creation of new media guidelines and policies, as the sector has not only moved on to make use of different media platforms of consumption but ethics and standard need to constantly be established. The mainstream media's overall mandate is providing accurate information to the public, through the practice of responsible journalism. The country's legal framework therefore also guarantees that the public are protected from misinformation, disinformation or malinformation, as well as media breaches on their rights.
In order for the media to function within the space accorded to freedom of the press, laws need to be updated and journalists need to know these different instruments that allow them to function within the limits of a free press. The Media is the fourth pillar of democracy, therefore while focus is placed on its role of informing, entertaining and educating, let us not forget its role as watchdog and holding leaders accountable. When armed with strong legal instruments, an inquisitive mind, an eye for detail and a passion for working with information while making use of technology that is constantly improving - media practitioners who are committed and loyal to the craft are armed to pursue the limits of press freedom.
What have been the major challenges for the media recently?
Among many issues, it is important to touch on the fact that the sector is struggling to get inquisitive and creative minds with a passion for the pen (...the pen, is mightier than the sword!) to join the different media houses and to stay in post. Coming in with other skills and knowledge allows for media practitioners to bring more to the news desk and production basket, therefore the door is not only opened to students fresh off the school bench, but to professionals with different skills set and interests. Working as a media practitioner is not an 8 to 4 job. It is rather demanding! Working within deadlines is a must! The profession propels you to become a familiar face, voice and writer but it takes a lot to stand behind the camera, record the sound, write the article, edit the 3-minute news item or produce the 15-minute feature programme.
Is the media doing enough for the promotion of human rights?
In every news item there is a human rights element. The focus is sometimes placed on other angles. Mostly the human rights element are morphed in the story and are not given special attention or mention. The expectation is that the public already know their rights and that there is no need to mention, when in actual fact it is an opportunity for discussion. There is a tendency to discuss human rights when it is not being observed or when an abuse had taken place – most of the time we then deem it as newsworthy and the narrative is placed on the abuse. Human rights narrative is not only limited to news items, but it appears in the different other media formats. There is an opportunity therefore to shed light on our rights when it is being enjoyed, not only where there is a lack of.
Moving forward, how do you view the media landscape in Seychelles?
Currently the country has four radio stations (two of which are private), two television stations (one being private), two daily, one fortnightly and two weekly newspapers. There is definitely more space for content on both radio and television and readers’ thirst for more newspapers. This growth will only be possible if investors are prepared to invest in the sector and for more inquisitive minds to join the media workforce – guaranteeing content that will pull in public interest and advertisers. In turn this will not only guarantee a business that is economically viable, but allow for their media house to position itself as a defender of democracy, seeking to make full use of the freedoms accorded to the media sector under the law. An informed individual goes on to make informed choices and that is at the core of every democratic society. Unlike social media, mainstream media has a bigger role to play, a national role. The Seychelles media sector has become smaller over the years with three weekly newspapers no longer publishing. For the past three years there has been stability in the number of media houses. The number of media practitioners continue to fluctuate, but the hope is for more media houses to be created and allow the sector to grow steadily in the years to come.
Alisa Uzice – Télésesel
As a Journalist, I believe that we do have a certain amount of freedom to ask the necessary questions especially when it concerns the wellbeing of the population however there are also many instances of this profession being dismissed as merely being a shell of what it's supposed to be. Furthermore, I believe more could be done especially in regards to human rights and emphasising its importance. Moving forward, even though I don't see much change happening in the near future, considering the fact that journalists are being more vocal about the challenges they face, this may be a catalyst to a better media landscape in Seychelles in the long run.
Interviews conducted by Vidya Gappy
