Freedom of Press Gone Too Far - Coursework Example

Freedom of Press Gone too far Freedom of the press is an emotive issue that has caught global attention over the years. With significant strides being made towards democratization of societies, it is prudent that the people have to be banqueted with freedom of expression so as to be able to speak and interact freely without any restrictions. The media is a powerful tool since it can manipulate the minds of the people either positively or negatively depending on its intentions. Therefore, the press works under certain regulations to ensure it maintains its credibility by avoiding bias in its dissemination of information to the masses (Freedom House, 2013). Globally there are certain set of rules and regulations that govern how the media fraternity should run their operation, that notwithstanding just like other critical professions its practitioners are supposed strictly adhere to work ethics to maintain the credibility of the industry. China has been ruled by authoritarian regimes from its onset and thus any efforts towards democracy have suffered frustrations since the authorities are not ready to embrace a free society. Lack of democracy in the nation has significantly affected the level of press freedom in the country since the government regulates virtually everything (Freedom House, 2013). The Communist government is the one that determines the content media outlets has to pass on to the people whether in print or electronic media. Journalists do not have the privilege to select the content that they want to give to the masses freely since the government will have to verify and filter what is deemed to be inappropriate for the society. In essence press freedom in deplorable in China as the media are just puppets of the government, they communicate what they are instructed to not the real situation on the ground (Freedom House, 2013). In 2010 the International Federation of Journalist discovered that the police in China collaborate with the judiciary together with Centre for Propaganda Department to suppress media freedom especially online through restricting the content to be posted especially in social media forum while detaining those found culpable without trial. On the other hand, media practitioners have declared China as the most hostile locations to work in since they receive numerous restrictions concerning the kind of news they should disseminate. The action jeopardizes the work of journalist since they can no longer offer authoritative news as influence from the authority limits openness and transparency in their work. In the run to the 2012 Olympic Games in China, the Chinese government begun efforts aimed at embracing freedom of the press by offering a more enabling environment for the industry to thrive unrestricted. However, it was a PR initiative that was meant to attract foreign journalist to cover the games and in return increase the revenues of the competition. In reality, all the traditional oppressive regulations by the government were still in place only that the government was giving a fake gesture. Assault of journalist and numerous incidences of media outlets being shut down have characterized the situation in China. Press freedom is barely a right for the people of China but a privilege that the government bestows to a few who it deems fit. The Chinese media regulator has banned journalist from airing stories that are sensitive in nature either exposing the government or its leaders in a negative manner. In essence, the government is always right since no single article of new will ever be aired condemning the actions of the government of China and if by any chance it happens those responsible will face dire consequences (Freedom House, 2013). Increased intimidation on local media outlets in China received condemnation from the West and the entire globe putting pressure on Chinese authorities to allow for freedom of the press. In that light international media organizations made inroads to China to report the ills that the local counterparts have been restricted (Freedom House, 2013). However, in 2012 the authoritarian government devised new techniques to suppress freedom of expression further by regulating foreign journalists. The media regulator instituted a directive that required foreign reporter to undergo a test before they can be accredited to practice in China. It is evident that the move was meant to bar reporters from reputable media organizations that have high work ethics and thus difficult to regulate their job. Conversely, the government continues to maintain its tight grip on the internet as it controls what should be passed via the medium. IT has even jeopardized global IT firms into censoring some information for them to be allowed in the country the likes of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have all adapted the censorship techniques thus barring the Chinese people from accessing certain segments of information which the government deems to be inappropriate as they can cause instability. In spite of media restrictions by the government, some media outlets have resorted to self-censoring practices whereby they influence editorial decisions in a manner that they only report news that is appropriate to the state’s requirements to create a good rapport with the authorities to avoid disciplinary actions. It has far complicated the situation as the Chinese audience can no longer expect to receive transparent and authoritative news since the whole system has now been manipulated. Even the media houses that pride themselves of being independent are working as proxies for the government by employing uncouth practices in their work (Freedom House, 2013). It is prudent that the press freedom is still a pipe dream for China as a nation; since, despite the hurdles the nation has faced in actualizing the same it has not demonstrated political goodwill to spearhead efforts to bring freedom of expression in the country. Media regulation is a common practice even in advanced democracies like UK and the USA but the restriction should be limited to the extent whereby the media players might use their freedom either to incite or cause instability in the society. Additionally, modern day journalism is professional in nature the practitioners have devised ethics and strict rules that govern the practice of journalism. It is thus less likely for media professionals to ignore their work ethos and perform the contrary. Furthermore, in case of any misdoing on the part of the journalist there are elaborate laws that will subject the individual to criminal proceedings. However, some pundits argue that the restrictive nature of the Chinese media is in order as it feeds the masses with what is necessary. They claim that the press freedom that characterizes Western media has given room for excessive media freedom that people write whatever they wish thus intoxicating the masses with junk thus it takes an intellectual to separate fact from hay say. But the case of China the restrictive pieces that are aired can provide a clue for the people to discern what is right since they fully understand the media is restricted. In a nutshell, press freedom is crucial is any society has to make advances both economically and democratically. It is thus a requirement for the media to be allowed the freedom for expressing its ideas provided they do not violate any laws (Freedom House, 2013). Works Cited Freedom House. China. Web. 2013. Read More