- Free media more important than elections

Free elections are part of democracy, but a responsible media is even more important.

This is the view of Norway’s Minister of International Development, Erik Solheim (photo). He points out that the elections in Angola in 1992 were perfectly organised and democratic. Yet, the ultimate consequence was that they plunged the country into a new 10 years of civil war, because the elections happened in a vacuum. It was only in 2002 that peace settled over Angola. A date for new elections has not been set. While there is relative press freedom in the capital Luanda, but independent and critical radio stations are waiting for licences to broadcast more widely.
- Support of media is a central part of our development agenda, said Solheim at a seminar on Free Media in Fredrikstad, Norway this week. However, his government has not increased the funding for the media development sector in next year’s budget.
The minister underlines the fact that journalists in conflict areas have a special responsibility to give the view of the different sides in the conflict, and must take responsibility in trying to reduce tensions. He was particularly scornful of the media in Sri Lanka were he has been involved in the peace process for many years.
- Journalists in Sri Lanka are part of the problem in the sense that they deliberately propagate lies. They fuel the conflict and make a solution more difficult.
- Without a responsible media, democracy is not possible, says Solheim.
By Jan Speed
Photo by Pierre de Brisis/Utenriksdepartementet