Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
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The Aspect of Gathering Information<br />
<strong>Press</strong> <strong>Freedom</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Globalisation</strong><br />
Similarities are few in information gathering between the two regions. The major similarity<br />
is probably what codes of conduct advise on relations to sources. Ethical issues such as<br />
independence, fairness, securing sources, <strong>and</strong> modesty in some situations in particular with<br />
regard to children, are similiar. These common features illustrate how codes of conduct in<br />
these regions have similar roots.<br />
The differences are most clear when it comes to information from public admini-<br />
strations. In Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia the principle is openness with some exceptions. In East Africa the<br />
principle is secrets with some exceptions. The outlet in East Africa is a journalistic practice<br />
which nevertheless may provide a lot of information into the public sphere. Due to this<br />
‘hidden game’ much of this information is controlled or coloured by actors with vested<br />
interests. Another major difference is in the tools available for information gathering. Due<br />
to widespread access to internet in Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia <strong>and</strong> a huge amount of relevant information<br />
to dig up, the journalists there are far ahead of their colleagues in East Africa.<br />
The Aspect of Publishing<br />
Similarities seem to be evident because media in the two regions look similar. Commercial<br />
forces work in the same way. The same methods are used in Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia <strong>and</strong> East Africa<br />
to attract audiences. Further, codes of conduct are guided by the same philosophy. That<br />
philosophy also explains why media practitioners in these regions share preferences in<br />
publishing policy.<br />
Differences are clear in balancing between laws <strong>and</strong> ethics. In Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia the laws<br />
are not very restrective. Decisive factors in publishing are the medium’s own policy<br />
together with the national code of conduct. In East Africa the laws usually impose a<br />
restrective framework. Culture is a determinant factor for ethics. Taste, shame, respect,<br />
fear <strong>and</strong> faith, for instance, are interpreted differently in Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian cultures compared to<br />
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