06 May 2009
Press Expert David Hoffman Discusses Giving Local Media a Voice
CO.NX webchat transcript, May 6
David Hoffman, president of Internews Network, answered questions in a May 6 CO.NX webchat on the development of free and open media.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Webchat: World Press Freedom: Giving Local Media a Voice
Guest: David Hoffman, President Internews
Date: May 6, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT)
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Please join us at 1600 GMT today for a chat with David Hoffman of Internews. We will be discussing local media. We are taking your questions and comments now. Once added to the queue they will appear in red.
We hope you are enjoying two new podcasts. They present the perspectives of journalists in Nigeria and Poland.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Please let us know if the audio Podcast is functioning on your computer. It's a new feature we would like to include in upcoming webchats. If you would like to introduce yourself to the group please do so, you may also include your press affiliation and your location if you'd like to.
Comment [S0LGER]: HI
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome Solger.
ganesh pol: hi
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome Ganesh.
Comment [Abdi Guled]: hi
Comment [Joana]: Hi!
David Hoffman: I'm honored to have a dialogue with journalists and people around the world on the subject of press freedom. The astounding spread of digital media makes it possible, for the first time, to engage in a global dialogue like this. The world is getting smaller, but it is also becoming more open and transparent and participatory. I welcome your comments.
Comment [jay]: Hello
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Jay, we're glad you are online with us today.
Comment [Joana]: We are the honored one!!Hallo Mr. Hoffman!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): And welcome to our friends in Abidjan, Cote d Ivoire and elsewhere!
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Hi Joana. Good to have you with us.
Question [malek]: does freedom realy exist inour world?
A [David Hoffman]: I hope so. I myself feel free to express my opinions openly. But of course in many countries of the world people do not have the security to speak without fear. Internews is trying to develop a free and open media everywhere so that everyone can participate with the same freedom we are experiencing on this chat.
Comment [abidjan-muriel:Muriel]: hi
Comment [abidjan-estelle]: estelle-good morning happy to be today
Q [ali]: WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF INTERNEWS NETWORK?
A [David Hoffman]: Internews is trying to develop a free and open media everywhere so that people can have access to information and be able to participate actively in their communities and speak their opinions without fear.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Welcome to those who have just joined us! We see your questions coming in and Mr. Hoffman is reviewing them now. Please feel free to introduce yourself.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): What is it like to be a journalist in Abidjan?
Comment [Teko]: Talla: Hello to all. I`m a media techician and a student in the department of telecommunication of ISTC Abidjan. Nice to be with you!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome!
Q [ali]: THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HAVE GREAT INFLUNCE ON OUR LOCAL MEDIA, ACCORDING TO YOU HOW CAN WE GET FREE FROM THIS INFLUENCE?
A [David Hoffman]: People everywhere tend to have more trust in the local news when it's known to be independent, but it is true that local news is influenced by the large international news agencies. This is why Internews concentrates its work on training local journalists so that they have the skills to report accurately. It's also imperative that the laws and regulations in the country support freedom for local journalists.
Comment [Teko]: Talla: thank you Sir
Comment [ali]: NAYO, STUDENT IN TELECOMMUNICATION AT ISTC IN COTE D'IVOIRE
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Nayo and welcome to this dicussion.
Comment [Teko]: Talla: Being a journalist in Abidjan is first of all choosing the way of poverty and secondly, to say what people what you to say.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Thanks for your comment, Teko.
Comment [abidjan- Muriel]: muriel: we are student in journalism and we are there to learn and have an experience in the field of journalism
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Greetings to all of the students joining us today.
Comment [ali]: ALI, I'M STUDYING JOURNALISM AT ISTC IN ABIDJAN
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Ali, what is the ISTC?
Comment [Teko]: Talla: in Abidjan
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi Talla!
Q [Teko]: Denise: how should a journalist behave during crisis period
Comment [ali]: INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNICS OF COMMUNICATION
Comment [Teko]: Talla: hello
Q [abidjan- Muriel]: how can journalist in cote divoire access to the right information?
A [David Hoffman]: There are international organizations like the International Federation of Journalists and the World Association of Newspapers that support the work of journalists everywhere. And there are freedom of expression groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists, IFEX and Article XIX which advocate for journalists' freedom. The strongest support for journalists comes within your own country when you organize together to defend your rights and advocate for open media laws.
Comment [olumide olajubutu]: I'm Olumide Olajubutu from Lowe Advertising, Lagos Nigeria, and I'm really glad to be here to share and at the same time contribute on this topic.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to our participants in Nigeria!
Comment [Abidjan-diomande amon]: Diomande Amon student in journalism ISTC COTE D'IVOIRE
Comment [abidjan- Muriel]: in our country, the information is influenced by the politics
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): I think this happens in many places. Good point, muriel.
Q [abidjan-estelle]: how can we join your organization and be a member
A [David Hoffman]: .Internews is not a membership organization. However, we are part of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and one can join that by going to their website www.gfmd.info
Q [ali]: NAYO: WHAT ARE YOUR PERSPECTIVES FOR LOCAL MEDIA IN AFRICA?
A [David Hoffman]: African media is changing rapidly. There are hundreds of new radio and television stations starting. There are new community radio stations in places like Sudan and Kenya that are very vibrant. Perhaps most importantly there is an explosion of mobile phone use that is allowing an unprecedented degree of communication between people in Africa. This greater openess and ability to speak to each other will inevitably have a positive influence on media throughout the continent.
Q [abidjan-estelle]: do you think that one day journalists will do their job withoutany other influencies of government in africa
A [David Hoffman]: I certainly hope so. I'm an eternal optimist. I can envision a world where everyone has access to the same information and is free to express themselves without fear.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): A number of you have asked for links to the organizations Mr. Hoffman posted above, I will get those links for you now.
International Federation of Journalists http://www.ifj.org/en/splash
World Association of Newspapers http://www.wan-press.org/
Committee to Protect Journalists http://www.cpj.org/
IFEX http://www.ifex.org/
Article XIX http://www.article19.org/
Q [abidjan-sonia]: do you have some advices to give to students learning journalism to be great reporters
a [David Hoffman]: Be honest with yourself.
Q [abidjan-hamza]: marina please answer my questions
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Mr. Hoffman is working as quickly as he can. Thank you for your patience!
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We see your questions coming in. Thanks for joining the discussion!
Q [olumide olajubutu]: Now, my question is to what extent can journalists be free from external influence as regards saying it as it is without fear or favour.
A [David Hoffman]: .it takes courage, but we must also work to develop laws and regulations that protect the press from censorship or pressure.
Q [Abidjan-diomande amon]: OLUMIDE would you like to talk me about the influence of the media in Nigeria
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Olumide - please feel free to share your thoughts on being a journalist in Nigeria.
Q [Teko]: Talla: Do Internews receive letters in which people are warning not to treat a particular topic or not to release a particular information? If yes, what do you do?
A [David Hoffman]: Very seldom. One of the stations we support in Afghanistan received a demand from the Taliban to give them airtime. They refused. But it takes great courage to stand up to threats of violence.
Comment [abidjan- Muriel]: happy to be with you
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): we're glad you are here.
Q [abidjan-estelle]: what do you think journalists in africa should do to stop the different conflict
A [David Hoffman]: Often conflict is the result of humiliation or the lack of recognition. Journalists can play an important role in reducing conflict by reporting with respect and with accuracy. During the Aceh civil war we brought together 50 journalists from both sides. They got to know each other as human beings and they learned skills for reporting without further inflaming the violence. After the Tsunami these journalists were able to help forge a united country because they had come to understand and respect each other as journalists and as people.
Q [ali]: IN TOGO FOR EXEMPLE THERE ARE 11 TELEVISION CHANELS,BUT PEOPLE ARE STILL SAYING THAT THERE'S ANY PRESSE FREEDOM.DO YOU THINK SO?
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): This is a great question, Ali. What makes press truly free?
Q [abidjan-hamza]: we want to know all things about how to be a good journalist
A [David Hoffman]: try to be impartial--listen to all sides--and then write what you know to be the truth.
Teko: Talla: sine the year 2000, many african states decided to set the media area open. It`s improving the freedom of journalist. But at the same time there is a game behind. Journalists are not train, many of those new structures don`t receive allocations from the government whereas government media still receive it.
Teko: Talla: In Africa, it`s difficult for journalists to have free access to the source of informations. Whereas it would have been showing how balanced the informations are. What can be done for that?
David Hoffman: I think there's great promise in the spread of the Internet and cell phones to bring information to everyone.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): To see President Obama's statement on Press Freedom Day please go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-President-in-honor-of-World-Press-Freedom-Day/
Q [TG]: What US support for journalists? What actins?
A [David Hoffman]: The US government spends about $65 million a year supporting the development of independent media across the world. But even this is small compared to the great need for journalism training and support for new forms of media.
Comment [ali]: I THINK IT'S THE FREEDOM THAT HAVE THE JOURNALISTS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. IT DEPENDS ALSO ON THE CAPACITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO ALL PEOPLE ESTABLISH PRIVATE MEDIA
A [David Hoffman]: .I totally agree.
Comment [abidjan-hamza]: hamza: i am hamza and i am very glad to join the discuss
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello hamza!
abidjan-estelle: through what kind of obstacles have you been during career
A [David Hoffman]: It's always easy to think that the lack of resources is the biggest obstacle. But I have found that being really true to yourself always leads to success.
Denise: some journalists don`t give true information to sell their newspapers, isn`t it?
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Good point, Denise. We see that here in the tabloids.
ali: MR HOFFMAN, WHEN TALKING ABOUT FREEDOM OF PRESS WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT THE LANGUAGE USED IN SOME NEWSPAPERS (HATE AND INTOLARANCE SPEECH AND PROPAGANDA)
David Hoffman: .It's always easy to think that the lack of resources is the biggest obstacle. But I have found that being really true to yourself always leads to success.
Q [Abidjan-Eric]: In other countries of Africa the political leaders have their chanels of televisions, which make their publicity, can we confirm that the journalists who works in these kinds of companies always respect the journalistic ethic and deonthology of journalism???
A [David Hoffman]: wish it were so.
This was a great problem in Kenya during the violence that followed a flawed election. Some of the vernacular (ethnic) radio said things that made the situation worse. But then 75 editors of Kenyan media met together and discussed ways to reduce the violence by reporting more objectively, without using inflammatory language and this helped to reduce the conflict.
David Hoffman: This is in response to Ali's question.
Q [abidjan-estelle]: what do you think of journalists whose have been killed in middle east
A [David Hoffman]: Too many journalists are being killed in every part of the world.
Q [abidjan-estelle]: what should really be a journalist most importent aim
A [David Hoffman]: To inform their fellow citizens so they can effectively participate in their society.
Comment [abidjan-hamza]: i am vanessa a student from abidjan
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): welcome Vanessa
Q [abidjan-estelle]: what are your relations with the journalists all over the world
A [David Hoffman]: Internews works with journalists in 70 countries.
Q [ali]: MR HOFFMAN,I'M ADELINE BALLO FROM RADIO COTE D'IVOIRE. YOU SAID THAT INTERNEWS CONCENTRATES ITS WORK ON TRAINING LOCAL JOURNALISTS.I WOIULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW, AND WITH WHICH MEANS IS THIS DONE?
A [David Hoffman]: Everything from basic journalism training to helping draft good media laws.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Please go to http://www.internews.org/ to learn more about Internews and support for local media.
Q [ali]: HERE IN COTE D'IVOIRE THE MEDIA ARE INFLUENCED BY THE POLICAL GROUPS, HOW CAN WE FIGHT AGAINST THIS?
A [David Hoffman]: organize among yourselves. Build a strong following among your readers and listeners. Look at what B92 radio did in Sebia. They had such a great audience that the government was unable to effectively shut them down.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We see some great questions here, but unfortunately, Mr. Hoffman's time is limited. We only have time for a few more questions.
If your question is not answered today, please join us here tomorrow as we discuss the economic downturn and its affect on journalism with Sherri Ricchiardi at 9:00 EDT.
Comment [Talla]: It was nice being with you!!
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Thanks Talla. We always enjoy hearing your comments and questions.
Q [gizzelle]: what about the freedom of press in countries like afganistan, iraq, pakistan, india.... does these countries possess that freedom...
A [David Hoffman]: There is quite a vibrant and free press developing in these countries. India and Pakistan have liberalized radio and TV, for example, and now citizens there have far more information than they had just a few years ago.
Comment [Abidjan]: Eric: Thanks
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): We're glad you joined us today. Mr. Hoffman is just wrapping up.
Q [ali]: MR HOFFMAN: APART FROM THE CHACE GIVEN TO US TODAY TO DISCUSS WITH YOU AND OTHER JOURNALIST CAN WE DISCUSS WITH YOU AT ANOTHER TIME?
A [David Hoffman]: certainly. write me at dhoffman@internews.org
Comment [abidjan-estelle]: glqd to chat with you todqy
Q [Abidjan-diomande amon]: what are the aims of interviews network
A [David Hoffman]: To spread freedom of the media to every corner of the globe.
Comment [Abidjan-Eric]: I really appreciated the meeting
Comment [abidjan- Muriel]: well it's time to leave. so thank for the discussion and see you
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): We hope to see you online again soon!
Comment [abidjan-hamza]: we have been very happy to be with u bye bye
Comment [ali]: thank you for having discuss with us on this important topic
Comment [Abidja-Eric]: No problem
Q [cesar-Abidjan]: What is the differnce between the indepence and the objectivity
A [David Hoffman]: great question. One can be independent of the government or political parties and still report with one's own biases. The goal should be the same as for scientific enquiry--to look for the objective truth.
Q [mory sanoh]: Do you think that the media's role is only to inform the public? Is there any other significant role for the press?
A [David Hoffman]: yes, to give voice to the voiceless.
Q [Mjellma Doli]: Is media bias present in the U.S.?
A [David Hoffman]: To spread freedom of the media to every corner of the globe.
Q [Teko]: Talla: A untrained journalist may be dangerous than an untrained Doctor?isn`t it?
A [David Hoffman]: Good point. Thoimas Jefferson said that if he had to choose between a government without a free press or a free press without a government, he'd choose the latter.
Q [ali]: NAYO: ARE YOU WORKING ONLY WITH PRIVATE MEDIA OR YOUR HAVE RELATION WITH SOME GOVERNMENT
A [David Hoffman]: almost entirely with private media.
This has been a wonderful exercise. I'm impressed by the number of questions having to do with journalist's safety and the challenge of a free media in the face of government repression. The media will play a crucial role in the development of freedom. A free and open media will help reduce corruption, hold governments accountable and raise the level of information that citizens have to build a stronger society.
The next great egalitarian revolution will be the Information revolution. When everyone has access to the same information, when they can speak freely without fear, when the poorest of the poor has a voice, then we can develop a global society based on human dignity.
Thank you for p[participating in this wonderful exchange.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Thank you so much for joining us today, Mr. Hoffman. And a big thanks to our audience. This chat is now closed. We will post a transcript of this discussion as well as the transcripts from other Press Freedom chats here and on our facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov . We love to hear feedback so please email us at conx@state.gov or write on our facebook wall.
(Guests are chosen for their expertise and may not reflect the views of the U.S. Department of State.)
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