Govts must address media complaints

EDITOR — On May 3, 2017, we commemorated World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) under the theme “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media Roles in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”

This year’s celebrations take place amid concerns over harassment (online and offline), attacks and even killings of journalists for expressing their views.

Journalists’ safety, especially women journalists, is becoming a serious problem that is silencing them, leading to self-censorship or some women leaving the profession.

It is, however, saddening that in many instances these threats remain unreported and are not taken seriously.

Twenty-six years since the passing of the Windhoek Declaration (1991) promoting an independent and pluralistic Press, the media is still struggling to achieve this goal.

Women are grossly underrepresented, misrepresented and often treated unfairly in the media.

Despite years of activism, education and advocacy aiming at ensuring all voices are heard, equal opportunities are created and equal treatment practised, the media still falls short.

Under representation of women’s voices is systematically silencing and side-lining women from being heard on issues that equally concern them.

The Gender Media Progress Study puts a huge spotlight on media practice, professionalism and ethics. The media’s failure to amplify women’s voices acts against the principle of just and inclusive societies.

Gender equality is inextricably linked with freedom of expression, participation and human rights; it is thus essential that the media gives voice to all in society.

The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa (2002) pronounces access to information and freedom of expression as a fundamental and alienable human right.

That makes women’s access to expression a fundamental right. Tarisai Nyamweda, GenderLinks, Johannesburg, South Africa is