Managing Director of Dominica News Online and experienced newsman, Tim Durand, has sent a word of caution to those who are genuine about practising journalism to “strive ceaselessly” to adhere to the principles of the profession.
He encouraged practitioners to resist being drawn into the agenda of any interest group, noting that the truth must be brought out at all times.
“…To not abandon our assigned duty as the guardians of our democracy, to try to bring the truth at all times to the public,” he said. “I would urge us to strenuously resist being drawn into promoting the agenda of any interest group, be it a political party or otherwise, under the pretext of doing journalistic work.”
Durand was the featured speaker at an award ceremony for members of the media at the Fort Young Hotel over the weekend.
He pointed out that as a citizen of the country, any journalist has the right to support any political party of his or her choice or to have an opinion on any matter and when appropriate, even express that opinion. However, he said this should not influence their journalistic work.
“What I’m saying is that in their pursuit of the truth, genuine journalists should not allow their biases, whether political or otherwise, to influence the way they report and present information,” he stated.
He noted that the role of the journalist must remain constant to present information to the public that is “factual, truthful information on matters, issues, policies that affect their lives and by extension, consider the consequences of those policies through assessment, analysis, and expert opinion and so on.”
Durand also laments that media houses that dare to label themselves as independent are “setting themselves up to be relegated to the ranks of ‘anti- government'”.
“In a sense, the word independent has almost become taboo in the realm of politics and media in Dominica,” he stated. “There no longer seems to be a place for that philosophy in our politically polarized society [and] this takes me to the question of the role of the media in navigating the Red Sea of politics in this country; and please understand that here, Red Sea is used in a biblical, not political context. Yes, the Red Sea of politics where the raging waters of unwavering political opinions on both sides are threatening to engulf those who dare to walk in the middle.”
In fact a fact is a fact because it has been proven to be true but an opinion is another matter . Now everyone is entitled to his or her opinion which is based on bias. So facts and opinions are presented and it is up to the individual to read the reel news behind the news.
Dear sir one of our main problem in this our country is people call there self what they are not. People seems to claim positions . For example can you tell us the names of the qualify journalists on the island, with degrees in such a field. This days once you can change a tyre you automatically is mechanic in Dominica. To Many People Call There Self What They Are Not, Get Properly Trained First.
There are professions that require a degree and other careers where a degree is not required but can be an asset.
However, many of us know people who do not have a degree but have accomplished amazing things in life, and some have become the best in their fields.
I can understand a degree being a help in journalism. But journalism is not a profession I would say requires a degree.
If a person is a “free lance” journalist the newspaper, magazine, or other media outlet that buys his or her work will judge the person’s qualifications based on the quality of the work. If the individual is a productive frontline performer I would not be concerned about academic qualifications.
If the journalist is on staff at a newspaper or other media outlet his (her) editor or manager would be evaluating the quality of the work. If it wasn’t good he (she) would probably not have the job.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
DNO please today is Tuesday, you are so obviously funny. Why you are preaching to the choir today? . Who fool you. Are you saying you are willing to go professional and stop the gutter journalism. Well that’s the male papaya taking.
Thank you Tim Durand for your timely and balanced address.
People in my own field complain that many of the large newspapers and magazines tend to have a left liberal bias. I think it is fair to say we all have our own bias including journalists and editors. However, if reporters try to be objective and give us the truth the public is capable of sorting it out and drawing their own conclusions. The personal bias of each individual will go a long way in determining what they take from some stories.
When I read a news article written by an investigative journalist that exposes a fraud or uncovers corruption I think where would we be if it wasn’t for good journalists. Just the fact that many would be scam artists know there are reporters out there looking for a good story stops some unscrupulous people from taking the shirt off our back! Fearless unrelenting journalism is responsible for bringing many criminals to justice!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
You should know that in recent years The Toronto Star, The Sun Newspapers, Globe and Mail, Toronto Metro Newspapers and the ethnic (West Indian/Caribbean) newspapers of all are all biased one way or the other. They can take people’s reputation to the cleaners, if you know what I mean. I read a few of them for the News but it is as far as it goes.
For instance, today in the Toronto Metro papers on the front page “Citizenship on hold in Canada – Thousands in T.O. have dreams stopped dead.” You may have heard it on TV and Radio.
The journalist/reporter is Gilbert Ngabo. He is from Rwanda. I do think he is biased toward the Federal Government’s new ruling.
In bygone years non-Canadian residents could apply for citizenship after five years. It was decreased to three. Now it is increased to four years.
Some of them are making a big thing against it.
I am in favor of this new ruling for obvious reasons and have much to state. I will write my MP about it.
Well said Tim. Any writer/journalist without objectivity and basic principles should look for another profession. Keep up the good work !.
Zandoli, I agree with you that we are human beings with different opinions. In a free and democratic society you have publications and non-printed news media from the left to the right and everything else in between. That is the beauty of democracy. Newspapers can address their views and the public has a choice to read all, a selected few or none at all. As long as they are factual I don’t mind so I can make up my own mind as to what is really happening. In countries where there is no freedom of the press or access to information restricted by the ruling regime, the human mind shrivels and gets isolated. We should have as much information as possible and free and open debate, without fear of criticism so we can grow our minds rather than retract into ideology
Tell that to JAYSEBELL karmala,
You could not have said it better Grell, this woman had so many bad things to say about skerrit and his ill, today she joined the regime is flip flopping and supporting the very same things that she was again, what a shame, I listen to this journalist for a woman she is nothing but a vemin, a never see come see crazy
amen to that..
Great Job Tim. Great Job. You have your address has also caused heated discussions on talk shows. I know you mean well for Aksel media professionals, know the professional and no nonsense guy you are. You allow all ideas to contend.
That too has caused you to gain the respect of many Dominicans. People are sometime hard on Angelo but Angelo is another no-nonsense taking persons.
I have heard him call a spade and spade. He has lashed out at and commended persons across the board. He too needs commendation. Don’t be swayed otherwise gentlemen.
Give up the recreational marijaua bc you hallucinating Tim ???? I wonder( still a diehard conservative) Angelo does not qualify donkey in horse race. Chalk & cheese..
Angelo has a gift for making things clear to the average people in language that is easy to understand. That is his talent and we need that too. Not everyone is an intellectual but everyone has a vote. Skerrit understands that only too well.
Tim you are asking for a utopian world. Journalists are human beings and despite their best effort, there is a potential for bias in their reporting. Most times it is muted, but inevitably it comes out in subtle ways. And I am not only talking about Dominica here.
Other times, the media publicly promotes an agenda that aligns with their philosophy. For example the New Times is a liberal newspaper whereas the Wall Street Journal is conservative. You can see the “bias” in their reporting all the time. It is in line with their thinking. Is that good or bad? I don’t think it is either. But they are clear on where they stand and they make no bones about their philosophy. As long as they declare their position, I think it should be left to the reader to decide what “truths” they want t believe.
I think their is a difference between the truth and the facts. I want the facts, not the truth. I will decide what is the truth.
I listen to National Public Radio a lot for the reason you have stated.They present the facts and let the listeners decide. That’s why I am in agreement with you.I expect the employees at DBS radio to tow the government line,but the least they can do,since its owned by the people of the country, is just give us the facts,we are intelligent enough to make up our minds on what to believe.Thank you Tim for shining a spotlight on a big problem in Dominica
We are intelligent enough to make up our minds on what to believe @jonathan st jean June 24, 2015
I think that the term “intelligent” is a bit overstated here, in that your intelligence may be telling you what to believe, while my intelligence does not believe what you believe–pertaining to the same subject.
Hence the report still remains the “fact” the “truth”. or even an “assumption”, but the mind has chosen to accept anyone of the above–that is not the direct work of “intelligence”
If I read an article and/or current news, I have no alternative but to believe it unless I can prove it is not true.
They do make errors but should not be penalized, as long as it did not tarnish the name of others and cause them distress. This occasionally occurs in the country I reside in.
On the other hand, if I read it and believe it and then there was a retraction and/or a correction from the originator, I simply state, “What else is new?”
There are some on this Website who constantly are negative and state, “I do not believe this and that”, especially if they are in favor of the one which the article pertains to.
How can you not? It was posted as factual. I reiterate, unless one can prove it is not true and present proof, it is believable. Period! This is my principle.
One problem…..what you consider to be facts……may not be TRUE facts. Another problem is that a journalist may report what they see from their perspective. Whether that can be considered unbiased is debateable. However, coupled with that is the subject that is being reported, who it affects, whether it is in some way political or whether there is a cover up going on. This lead to editing of the original piece, usually by superiors. So deciding on what is true or not becomes rather difficult.
We know what it is like and in the manner in which the News is relayed. I do think there could be some exaggeration. In addition, they could stir people up and excite them. This is what the Media is about. How else could they obtain the interest of readers/listeners and to retain them? This is their business.
We must know what is factual, what is not and what is fabricated and who is biased or not. We must utilize our common sense, intelligence and good judgment but do not overdo it.
The proof is in the reading and listening. However, we must not debase them and for nothing or for very little especially if it does not affect us personally. They are performing their job. Know too, the competition for being the first to report and good reporting is stiff.