World Press Freedom Day (May 3) has come and gone. For many media organisations worldwide, this day serves as “a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom,” according to the UN. It is also a time for media professionals to reflect on press freedom and professional ethics.
In many countries, the day was marked by conferences, training programmes and statements of solidarity – even protests against attempts to silence the press. Here in Saint Lucia, however, World Press Freedom Day passed in relative silence.
This silence may not stem from government suppression but could instead be one of the media’s own making. The absence of a strong representative body for journalists is likely a factor.
Saint Lucia once had one of the region’s most vibrant media associations, an entity recognised by UNESCO, active in the then Caribbean Media Workers Association, and instrumental in training and advocacy. But, as the media landscape shifted in the early 2000s, the association dwindled. Ironically, this decline coincided with a surge in media outlets, particularly radio stations and online platforms.
Other factors contributed. Successive governments encroached, some might say infiltrated, certain new media entities, blurring the line between journalism and government PR. Over time, rewards came in the form of ministerial PR jobs, further muddying the waters between propaganda and real journalism. The expansion of media houses also led to a scramble for workers, often resulting in untrained journalists filling roles. Seasoned professionals were sidelined or chose to withdraw, while political manoeuvring simmered beneath the surface.
Today, many talk show hosts masquerade as journalists, peddling one-sided propaganda. Some audiences, unsuspecting, mistake them for the real thing. Social media has compounded the problem: citizens no longer rely solely on the evening news or credible journalists. Instead, they are bombarded with a relentless stream of information, making it harder to distinguish fact from sensationalism or outright falsehoods.
Now, technology presents another challenge. Can the media harness its potential while mitigating its threats – and remain relevant? Notably, this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme was Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media. In recognition, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) held a workshop on digital security amid rising threats to regional journalists.
The Media Institute of the Caribbean issued a statement that called for regional collaboration to harness AI’s potential while safeguarding democratic discourse.
To navigate these challenges, Saint Lucia’s media fraternity must reorganise into a strong, active representative body, one that advocates for journalists, addresses victimisation and pushes for legislative action, such as the long-overdue freedom of information legislation.
Finally, the silence on World Press Freedom Day extends beyond the media. The government, too, failed to issue any meaningful statement in solidarity with local journalists.
As European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted: “A free press is the best shield for democracy. Journalists must be free to report without fear of censorship, intimidation, or retaliation.”
Sabine Verheyen, vice president of the European Parliament and chair of the Working Group on implementing the European Media Freedom Act, echoed this, reaffirming that “free, independent and diverse journalism is essential to any democratic society.”
Saint Lucia should expect no less – not just in words, but in action.
