By VP Digital

Copyright thevoiceslu

It has been some time since we can honestly say we have an organized media fraternity, one which seeks to maintain, or rather re-establish, respectability that should be associated with journalism.

With the passing of veteran regional journalist Rickey Singh on July 5th this year, who defended journalism to the death, and more recently our very own radio personality Tony Paul, yet to be buried, one cannot help but reflect on the current position and state of journalism and the media fraternity generally in St. Lucia.

There was a time when some {particularly politicians} stayed in line because they were fearful of getting on the wrong end of the pen, a time when government sought counsel with seasoned journalists on current issues, a time when all things national accommodated an active press body.

It was also a time when many looked to the press corp for robust support on issues that resonated on the national stage.

In short, it was a time when the local press was seemingly respected.

Those days seem not to exist anymore. The once vibrant St. Lucia Media Workers Association {SLMWA} with the Press Club ably attached at its hip, seem to have fallen by the wayside, or so it seems. The cause for this defunct posture is largely debatable and definitely for another occasion.

Few seem able to see the importance of strong journalism and indeed an active press corp. The Knowledge Academy defines Journalism as “the act of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting information. It is the discipline of collecting data, verifying its authenticity, and crafting it into a structured narrative for the audience’s consumption. Journalists serve as messengers and interpreters of events and facts, providing context, analysis, and insights that help the public make sense of the world around them.”

Many have advised that the local fraternity has relinquished its hold on this noble profession and has been reduced to public relations practitioners. Whether that is entirely true or not is beside the point. What is important is how the local media will return to its place of respect as an active driving force in a fledging democracy.

In recent years, there have been numerous documented incidents of journalists being openly disrespected by politicians and other government officials. This is not acceptable and should never be accepted, but with a defunct media body and a lack of pride in the profession this will only continue.

The onus really and truly rests on the shoulders of the media workers themselves. A politician, or anyone for that matter, will only practice what they are allowed to get away with. A continuation of the status quo says clearly that those entrusted with the practice of this noble profession have decided not to play their role in the proper management of this democracy.

“Journalism is what we need to make democracy work.” Walter Cronkite