Why South Sudan’s scribes crossed ethical red line
It is a case that many journalists are loath to discuss without emotions. The arrest of six South Sudan journalists by the government over the December footage where the country’s President Salva Kiir was seen wetting his pants has hit headlines of the international press.
When I first watched the clip, my first reaction was, that’s fake news. But after a few consultations, the clip was confirmed as legit. I felt sad that anyone, leave alone a president, could be exposed to public ridicule on account of such an unfortunate incident of incontinence.
One cardinal rule of journalism before going on air or to press is whether a controversial story is of public importance to the extent that it would affect the public’s rights if they did not know. Further, does exposure of the subject expose or embarrasses him or her unnecessarily?
While as journalists we have the right and privilege to inform our audiences of events in the public domain, I think footage of the president in such a vulnerable moment was ill advised, if not malicious. Everyone gets sick with different ailments, so it is inhuman to “celebrate” another person’s misfortunes, regardless of how much one may loath the victim.
Journalists should be constantly personal, legally and culturally sensitive of the repercussions of their content. Like the rest of us, leaders and public figures also have relatives and friends who feel deeply offended in such cases of needless adverse publicity.
Definitely, the South Sudan government will be keen to investigate whether there was a political motive behind the footage. The journalists could have worked either at their own behest for popularity, or that of political figures opposed to the president in order to discredit him by showing he is unfit for the rigours of his office.
Beyond the journalism lecture rooms that teach professional ethics, African journalists also need to revisit our cultural values. In the African tradition, it is anathema for a young person to disrespect an elder, even if the latter is on the wrong. Our journalists must show some decorum in the course of their work, as opposed to the “publish and be damned” social media mantra.
In an apt analogy during his reign, the late President Daniel arap Moi once remarked that if you see your mother seated indecently, you do not look in that direction twice. You simply call out her name, albeit politely, and request her to serve you a cup of tea. This is simple but profound wisdom that should guide the work of any African journalist worth his or her salt.
***
The new tell-all book by Prince Harry, Spare, has yet again put the British Royal Family to shame and deeper into controversy. In his autobiography that is full of self-pity and playing victim, Harry gets personal with his brother and father.
Any discerning observer will see the tragic trajectory Harry’s life has taken. He seems to be under extreme duress to spill all the beans of the Royals’ lives. This is the case if you take into account that the Prince and his wife Meghan are not drawing funds from the British Exchequer and have to hustle to pay for their expensive lifestyle.
Of course, the young and naïve Harry has been totally misled by whoever is advising him to go on his family hammer and tongs. If he lives long enough to middle age, he will definitely rue all this negative publicity he is constantly exposing his family to. But he is still a prodigal son.
The Prince seems bent on self-destruction. He has been trapped and is now being consumed by the licentiousness of the American culture which has no qualms in the pursuit of fame and fortune. But between him and Meghan, we all know who is fooling who!
—The writer is a PhD student in International Relations
