Interview with President Wavel Ramkalawan |28 June 2021
President Ramkalawan reading a copy of the Seychelles NATION newspaper
‘I am satisfied with the balance of articles published’
For our 45th birthday, we had a chat with the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, to know his views about our newspaper. He acknowledges the hard work of the team in publishing the newspaper even during the pandemic and he encourages us to be an “independent newspaper” and “free to bring the truth to our citizens”.
Seychelles NATION: What are your views in regards to the Seychelles NATION newspaper – when you were still the leader of the opposition and now as President of the country?
President Ramkalawan: I remember Seychelles NATION as Seychelles Bulletin before our Independence. I still have memories of when it became NATION. It reported on government’s doings and it was smaller in size. However, after our independence it was more or less the only daily newspaper informing people of the current events happening in the country such as the engagements of the President and the cabinet of ministers including of course international news. This allowed Seychelles citizens to stay informed, since 45 years ago news did not travel as fast as it does nowadays even if international news was published a few days later from its actual date. However, it was a newspaper writing on government’s work and let’s not forget that during that era a coalition government was in power so there was no opposition and the paper was not giving opposing views since everyone was supporting the government of the day. After the coup d’Etat, NATION adopted a political element to its paper and its image changed including its masthead. The colour also changed to red, this meant that it became more of a political paper. The one party state political system of the country at the time meant no opposing views were tolerated and solely that of the government was heard.
What was sad was that even during a multiparty system in my views Seychelles NATION remained the mouthpiece of the government and the political party in power. Activities organised by the opposition political parties gained very minimal exposure in the paper. For example, if the ruling party at the time organised a convention the front page of the published paper will be in red with photos even in the middle section. In comparison, coverage of the convention organised by the Seychelles National Party of which I was the leader at the time, would be in the form of a short article with possibly no photos and published on either page 3 or page 5 in black and white. This state of affairs remained so for a while.
Seychelles NATION: When did you notice the change happening in our reporting?
President Ramkalawan: I have noticed there has been a change and since 2016 I would say that I am satisfied with the balance of articles published. Nowadays, I do not expect to see a coverage of government activities on the front page every day. I have noticed that all events are covered and Seychelles NATION has become more open in its way of thinking. For example, if the opposition says something relevant in a press conference it will be on the front page. Nowadays anyone can be on the front page of the paper and for me that’s very important. In regards to press freedom Seychelles NATION is free to cover any event and the government including State House cannot interfere in what is published in the paper. The Seychelles NATION is independent and free to cover whichever event and whoever it sees fit. I am happy to see the newspaper’s evolution and hope it remains so.
Seychelles NATION: As head of State, what role should Seychelles NATION play in today’s society?
President Ramkalawan: Seychelles NATION as is the case for any other media should report on government activities as decisions taken and implemented have an impact on people. It’s crucial to provide information to members of the public so that they make the right decisions.
Secondly, Seychelles NATION needs to integrate itself in the community, if there is any organisation/institution organising activities which have an impact on people’s lives, it needs to report on. Scandals should definitely be reported on, and Seychelles NATION should implement investigative journalistic practices. That’s a point I would like to make to every media house in Seychelles regardless of its connection to the government or not. Take for example the Private Notice Question (PNQ) on Air Seychelles, there are certain things that the minister said that demands a follow-up in regards to the large sum of money missing. Seychelles NATION has the responsibility to ask questions to those involved and to investigate. Another example are the photos in regards to the pollution happening at Anse à la Mouche bay, this demands investigation. However, I can ask the ministry responsible for environment to investigate this matter, but the newspaper can do some investigation to see why this pollution is happening, taking into consideration the recent announcement of development happening on that side of the island. The outcome of such an investigation could be firstly that it is nothing too worrying and major or indeed it is an urgent matter which could have a negative impact on the environment. The results will help inform members of the public and also be an eye-opener for the government. There might be people more willing to speak out to the press rather than the government.
Seychelles NATION: Mr President you have always advocated for free access to information, but still we are facing some issues in getting information on time. What are your comments on that?
President Ramkalawan: This is not acceptable! Members of the public need to get access to the right information and all ministries should willingly give information and I insist on that. If any media house is still getting some trouble to get information they should contact the President’s Office at State House and we shall investigate. However, another situation has been brought to my attention by different ministries. The complaint is that a long interview is done and the quality /standard of the end reporting is not up to standard and as a result the most crucial information that should reach the public is left out, instead insignificant /unimportant news gets to the public. This might be a deterrent for many. There should be a serious relationship between the one giving the information and the one receiving the information .The end report should be a balanced one and that’s one thing I have always insisted on although I have been accused of being too tough on the media. That is not the case! I simply want the media to have balanced reports. I have recently reminded civil servants to establish good communication with the population and individuals in society, I went as far as to point out that even when a vacancy is put out and someone applies for it, even if you have to shortlist the applicants do not forget the other applicants. It is important to write back to the applicants and let them know why they were not successful, whatever the reasons. This allows the applicant to be fully aware of the situation without assumptions. The aim is to help members of the public.
Seychelles NATION: What is your wish for the staff of Nisa?
President Ramkalawan: I would like to congratulate them for their hard work. To continuously deliver and publish a daily newspaper is not easy especially with the Covid-19 pandemic. Seychelles NATION has managed to keep publishing while others have stopped. For that, I would like to congratulate the team. Also, Seychelles NATION, in this Covid-19 period, has been working in partnership with the Ministry of Health through writing press articles continually, giving out information and helping people to better understand precautionary measures they should be taking. Of course this is an aspect of journalism. My hope is that the staff at Seychelles NATION keep taking their responsibilities and even take a step further to investigate and do not hesitate to be the independent newspaper and also do not hesitate to criticise the government when there is a need. You should not feel that you always have to write positively about the government. I pray that your team keep performing and bring out the truth for our citizens at a time when ‘Radyo Bambou’ takes the lead! Continue to give a voice to all Seychellois. Keep working so that our citizens keep living according to your motto “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.”
Vidya Gappy
