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Noted Journalist Discusses Independent Journalism

USINFO Webchat transcript August 30

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
USINFO Webchat Transcript

Journalism Tradecraft: What is Independent Journalism?

Guest:  Deborah Potter
Date:   August 30, 2006
Time:   9:00 a.m. - 1300 GMT

WEBCHAT MODERATOR: Welcome to USINFO Webchats! Our webchat with Deborah Potter will take place today at 1300 GMT (9:00 a.m. Washington, D.C. time).

We extend a special welcome to journalists and students of journalism. You can submit your questions now or during the chat -- please submit one question at a time. If you would like, please tell us what publication you work for or where you are studying.

Ms. Potter is the author of the "Handbook of Independent Journalism." You may read this booklet online and download a PDF version here:

Deborah Potter: Hello from Washington, DC. I am pleased to be with you today to discuss independent journalism and I look forward to answering your questions. So let's get started.

Question [Toj]: Why did you choose this profession? Did you have time for your family? (working in sphere of journalism)

KT Team, School #12

Answer [Deborah Potter]: I became a journalist because I loved learning new things and sharing what I learned. In that respect, journalism is a lot like teaching. It is very rewarding work. It can also be very demanding, but it's definitely possible to do this job and to have time for your family.

Question [hygreevakiran]: visit visa requirements

Answer [Moderator's Note]: To find out about visa requirements, look up one of our upcoming webchats, Tony Edson, assistant secretary of state for Visa Services, on Travel and Visas (Sept. 6, 1400 GMT).

Question [Uerii]: I am Selma Kashihakumwa, a student teacher from the Windhoek College of Education. As people say sharing is caring, I am a person who likes and enjoys sharing any type of information with people, I like founding out interesting staff about people and the society at large, and I believe that being a journalist, you could extend your inner beings. 

Answer [Deborah Potter]: One of the most important qualities a journalist brings to the job every day is curiosity. They ask many questions, and one of the most important is "why?" Journalists want to know more than just what happened...they want to understand why and how things happened so they can explain it to the audience.

Q [Uerii - Mathew MISA Nam]: What is independent journalism if you do not have a free media?

A: It is more difficult to operate independently when the media are controlled, of course. What journalists can do, however, is to be transparent about the situation they face. For example, when journalists cover conflicts in some parts of the world, their stories are subject to censorship. They should not refuse to report under these circumstances, but rather they should disclose the circumstances to the audience. 

Q [Uerii]: I am Werner. Politics play a big role in the media. Some media corporations are government funded, and are biased in favor of government dictates. Some journalists even bend backward to please the governing party in reporting so to say. Case in point; Namibian Broadcasting Corporation -- NBC -- while singing praises to the ruling party has a huge tendency to ignore the rest of the political parties in this country. This seems to leave the opposition in the country weakened. Any comments using your fundamentals of fact and not opinion in reporting. 

A: As I mentioned earlier, my sense is that journalists need to be transparent about the circumstances under which they operate. Simply reporting the facts may not be enough if you only choose to include facts that are favorable to just one side. The audience can tell when the news media are not providing the whole story. If the press were free, the audience would likely choose a source that is more credible because it provides a complete picture. 

Webchat Moderator: Dear participants: If possible, please ask each question separately. It will be much easier for our guest to answer them if they are sent one at a time.

[A question from journalists in Tajikistan]: Dear Deborah Potter, here we refer to you our question. Yes the Independent media or community radio is very important, especially in the democratic republic or country. For example one local NGO started to work with Inter News USA, but unfortunately for this long time (about six months) they couldn't to register this radio, every time when they make request to the local or regional Government they say ok but they never refuse openly.

As far as you are informed Inter News works in many countries around the world but they didn't have any problems during the registration except in Tajikistan. What do you think about this what should we do? Whom we need to apply with this issue? Shall we start to work or not?

A: I'm sorry that I am not well enough informed about your situation to advise you. I think it's important for journalists to be able to do their work. Sometimes it is risky. You alone can decide whether the risks are worth the reward.

Q [Uerii Mathew_MISA Namibia]: What is the difference between independent and free media?

A: I tend to use those terms interchangeably, but you can think of it this way: Independent journalism is one hallmark of a free press. Independence means being free of any obligation other than to the public's right to know. It means that journalists should avoid conflicts of interest and should be free to hold the powerful accountable.

Q [Uerii Mathew_MISA Namibia]: Is the current education system in journalism preparing journalists to be free to hold the powers that be accountable, how about the consequences?

A: Journalism training varies widely from country to country. One of the best ways to prepare journalists to do their job is to share examples of great journalism. Young journalists want to do this kind of work and they will emulate those they admire. At the same time, they need to know what can happen if they report on things those in power do not want disclosed. In a previous answer I mentioned that journalists are curious. They also must be courageous.

Q [Uerii] What is so interesting about being a journalist? Selma

A: Being a journalist is interesting work for many reasons. For one thing, every day is different. You meet many people from all walks of life. You have a front row seat to history being made. Many journalists love the work so much they say they would do it even if they weren't paid

Q [Uerii - Mathew_MISA Nam]: What role does the education system play in shaping journalists to be able to practice, independent journalism?

A: Schools are an important training ground for journalists to learn the skills they need to do the job, as well as to develop the professional standards they require to practice independent journalism. These two aspects of journalism are intertwined. A system that teaches only skills and not ethics will not produce excellent journalists. The same is true of a system that teaches only theory and not skills.

Q [Uerii]: Werner: One of the very frustrating things in our country is the mediocre journalism which is more recording than reporting. There are no institutions of note in the country to change this. Most journalists in my opinion learn about journalism and writing and reporting on the job. Are there any ways and means available out there that can help journalist in this country to uplift their skills. I mean in terms of scholarships in the US or elsewhere, and especially workshops on an ongoing basis here in Namibia by knowledgeable individuals who know their craft.

A. It can be very frustrating when you want to help journalists improve and you can't seem to find any help. While I do not know of any ongoing workshops, I can tell you where to look to find them. Go to www.icfj.org, the International Center for Journalists, and search for training programs. They also list fellowships available for journalists in the United States. In addition, there are many resources available online for training, including www.newsu.org, where many classes are available for free. I hope you will also visit my site, www.newslab.org, for journalism resources.

Q [Uerii]: Werner: Yes, the Namibian situation is a bit tricky. Deborah, I think it isn't as much that the journalists can't do their job. My opinion is that they in some way lack the ability to do a good job. And in many cases they themselves do not quite understand what they are there for. Because they lack a proper foundation, they believe pleasing certain people in positions of power, riches etc. is the way to do journalism. That's why Namibian journalists need training in their craft.

Corruption is a burning issue in most societies, can the reporting of this help, and what does it mean to a journalist. Should this kind of reporting be rewarded with Journalists award for exposing corruption, because, then the journalist is not independent but is aiming for the prize.

A: You have raised an interesting question. Journalists often are recognized with awards and prizes for exposing wrongdoing. Does that mean they were motivated by the possibility of getting a prize? I would say that in most cases, reporting on corruption or wrongdoing is difficult and that journalists are motivated to do it because it matters to the public, not because they might win a prize. Recognition also matters, because it is one way of protecting journalists from retribution. 

Q [Media Assistant Sierra Leone]: Being an independent journalist means going by the book of journalism ethics. Sierra Leone will have its general elections in 2007 and already most newspapers and journalists have started leaning towards their political interests. How does this affect their credibility as independent journalists or independent newspapers?

A: Your question suggests that you already have an answer in mind. If the public can tell that a journalist supports one side or another in a political campaign, I would argue that their reporting is less credible. Journalists certainly do have opinions -- they are human, after all -- but they need to be aware of their own leanings and keep them out of their reports. Opinion can have a space in a newspaper or on a broadcast, but I think it should be clearly labeled and separated from news coverage.

Q [Uerii]: Is the media in the U.S. regulated? And what do you think is the advantage of a regulated media.

A: There are laws in the United States that affect the news media, but most journalism outlets are not "regulated." For example, if you believe that a newspaper has printed a falsehood about you, you can take that newspaper to court and possibly win a judgment against it. Public opinion and the free market also provide a kind of regulation.

Q [Uerii]: Most media house, if not all, are driven by their business agenda and not necessarily to serve the people.

It's the commercial entities that have the resources to cover the stories, but they filter them to meet their market audience.

The independent house that are mostly funded by the government or the people, lack the resource especially in terms of good journalism salaries to hold on to any type of market.

What in your opinion do you think is the right approach to such a situation?

A: My view is that good journalism is good business. A news organization that covers the news to serve the public will build a larger, more loyal audience and therefore be more commercially successful. This is not always an easy argument to make, even in the United States where commercial interests do influence content. But the most prestigious and successful news outlets recognize that limiting the agenda because of money or politics is not a winning strategy over the long term.

Q [Uerii]: Werner: I will definitely visit your site and also look up for others you listed. 

Thanks for your comments. I'll have to sign-off now. Now that I have your site, I'll visit you regularly on journalism issues. Thanks for the great comments. Keep up the good work. And God bless!!!

Q [LG Studioworks500E]: Questions to Deborah Potter: What qualities must the journalist have for future good work?

Can you say some words how could you fly so high, what characteristics helped you for you profession?

- Relief International Schools Online - Istaravshan

A: As I have noted, a journalist must be curious about the world and courageous, with a willingness to look for stories in unfamiliar places. I also think it is important to be willing to work hard. Journalism is not a profession that you practice from 9 to 5 and then go home. News happens all the time, and journalists must be willing to go cover it. You also shouldn't go into journalism if you want to get rich, as the compensation generally is not the best. But as I said, it is rewarding work and never boring.

Q [Uerii Mathew_MISA Nam]: Today media students are not curious, how can they be pushed in that direction if they come from a system that does not prepare them well in ethics?

A: I am not sure how you teach curiosity, but strong editors and supervisors can encourage it. Just as journalists should be asking "why" when they report, educators and editors should be asking their reporters "how do you know?" Just as journalists hold the powerful accountable, their supervisors must hold them accountable for the work they do. In addition, I believe we all learn by seeing what works. If the most curious and persistent journalists are rewarded, they will be imitated.

Q [LG Studioworks500E]: Questions to Deborah Potter:

1. What kind of journalists were send to hot regions to work?

- Relief International Schools Online - Istaravshan

A: If I understand your question correctly, you are wondering how journalists are assigned to "hot zones." Generally speaking, the journalists who cover conflict volunteer for the assignment. They also need specialized training on how to keep themselves safe while reporting in dangerous situations. The Committee to Project Journalists, www.cpj.org, has an online guide, "On Assignment," that should be required reading for anyone posted to a danger zone.

WEBCHAT MODERATOR: Ms. Potter is staying on for a few minutes beyond 10:00 a.m., so please stay with us until we end.

Q [LG Studioworks500E]: Questions to Deborah Potter:

2. Do all journalists want to work at hot regions?

3. Can you say the number of journalists who dead at Iraq?

- Relief International Schools Online - Istaravshan

A: No, not all journalists want to report from danger zones. It's important that news organizations recognize that, and do not force people to take assignments that frighten them. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 77 journalists have been killed in Iraq since 2003. 17 have died so far this year. It is a very dangerous story to cover, and I am grateful for those journalists who are courageous enough to go there to keep us informed.

Q [Uerii]: Most of the media houses are driven by their business agendas and not necessarily public interest. How do you see this in terms of independent media. Don't you think an independent regulatory body should always be the mediator between Government/the Media and the people.  -Romeo

A: Actually, I don't. There is some value to having an independent press or media council, but I don't support the concept of regulation by council. It can be useful to set up a body to whom the public can complain about the actions of the media, in cases where the media are unresponsive. I would prefer to support media criticism, however, through journals, reviews or online sites that can report publicly on the mistakes and actions of journalists. That's a really good way of holding them accountable.

Q [Uerii]: If one can take a media house or journalist to court, then what is the role of mediating bodies established by media houses to ensure that journalists are protected and are not biased?

A: I am not sure I completely understand your question. I want to clarify that it is not easy to sue a media organization or a journalist, but that recourse should exist. While I believe that journalists should be protected so they can do their jobs, I don't think that protection should be absolute. 

Q [LG Studioworks500E]: Good day, Deborah Potter I am from Kanibadam, Relief International Schools Online:

How does this profession is prestige and important in America?

What role does this specialty play?

Thank you for your answer.

A: Journalists play an important role in American society, but it is not always recognized as "prestigious." Some journalists are well-paid, but not all. Their role, however, is critically important. They provide a fair, accurate and independent account of what is happening. And they are protected by the U.S. constitution, something no other profession gets. 

Deborah Potter, I have enjoyed our conversation today. Thank you for your interest in independent journalism, and keep up the good work!

Webchat Moderator: We would like to thank all of our participants and Ms. Potter for taking the time to webchat with us today. The webchat is now closed. [A transcript will be available on our USINFO Webchat Station.]

(While guests are chosen for their expertise, the views expressed by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State.)