The Definition of “rights” and “responsibilities”.
It is clearly seen, that there are similarities between rights and responsibilities, but it is very important to know the difference between these terms. A Right is usually a privilege, which is given to individual by governmental structure or international organization, followed by creating a written document, accepted by government (like law, regulation and convention). For Example, in many democratic countries, people have a right to choose their government or they have the right to be presented in different structures by a professional representative (layer). The most important thing about rights is that when someone’s right is broken, this person can ask the Law (court) to protect it.
Responsibility can be limited and not protected by the government. This is sort of moral and ethical behavior accountable within the society. For example, journalist should have responsibilities within their organization to show people that their news and reports are based on facts and that they are the organization people can trust.
The “rights” that journalists have by law.
The term “law” in this case means the actual international law which can be avoided by a country without any punishment because there are no courts for that. In spite of these there are several international laws to protect journalist’s rights. First, United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with its Article 19, which states ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers’. Then goes, The EEC Convention and the Protection of Human Rights, with its Article 10 stating “1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary”. The most beautiful example of journalist’s rights is The 1st Amendment to the US constitution, providing freedom of speech and press, because in the USA it is possible even for journalists to protect their rights in accordance with their constitutional rights. The second point on this topic is that journalists have restrictions to their freedoms. Those are Defamation, Pornography, Violence, Racial discrimination, Homosexuality in some countries. Those are the things which are forbidden to publish or show to the public because it could be offensive or it could interfere with another people’s rights. Things like strategic placement of the forces during wars or national security interest could not be published, because it may be helpful for terrorists or enemies of the whole nation or government.
The “Responsibilities” to members of society journalists have.
When we are talking about the documentation to describe social responsibility of the press, we can mention The USA Hutchins Report 1947, which states:
• The press should accept certain responsibilities towards the society
• These responsibilities can be discharged by giving a true, accurate, objective and balanced picture of the world
• The press should regulate itself, though within the context of law and other social institutions
• The press should reflect the pluralistic character of the society
• The press should play a positive role in regulating crime, violence and social conflict
• The press should be accountable to the society as well as to employers and the market
• The press should work for public good
But if we take the most general look at journalists’ activities, we can say that all Mass Media sources should be reliable and should not do any harm to people and society in general. One of the most important points here is that journalists should regulate themselves without any governmental interference, because this is the only way to make society trust them. As an example of that, there are special commissions that check the press if there is misunderstandings or mistakes in it. Those commissions are formed from responsible and honorable journalists, who check all the press within the society and provide them information satisfying public good, privacy, accuracy, truthfulness by showing professionalism and obeying the laws. Sometimes when there are situations which can be understood from many views those people are helping to verify the right side. If there are conflicts between the society and press where press is mistaken, people have a right to reply or to get an apology; those rights are honorably followed and controlled.
Own opinion about the balance of rights and responsibilities.
To begin the story I must say that I m a very well-known musician in my country (Belarus). Because of that fact I want to say that journalists follow their responsibilities not often. Nowadays they need a scandal or some very fascinating story about everything they publish, it became sort of fashion. So, being a citizen of the democratic country, I had to break up with the woman I loved because of a fairy tale published in a popular magazine about my private life. All the attempts to falsify this information were denied. That’s why I can say that in my opinion journalists nowadays have much more rights than responsibilities. But, from the other hand it is almost impossible to become famous without the conflicts between those 2 sides. By this point, I can say that generally the sensations and scandals about celebrities are made with the help of celebrities to promote them. So it is very difficult to give points about this question. Again, I want to add, that my opinion was made by an example of only one country and I truly believe that countries like USA or Great Britain do not have conflicts and misunderstandings in such questions, that’s why I am trying to find it out taking the courses in American University.
The Difference between rights and responsibilities of journalists in totalitarian/authoritarian and democratic countries.
The answer to this question becomes pretty clear when you are reading some news or information published within totalitarian country. Those types of countries take Mass Media under firm control. Journalists are not allowed to discuss the government from the opposing side. Basically they exist only to promote the governmental policy and describe the events, which show positive sides of the government only. All the steps to follow the rights of people to know the truth about the disadvantages of their life in such countries are forbidden. Severe punishments, event death could be implied to Mass Media sources in Totalitarian and Authoritarian countries.
Democracy is the best sphere for Mass Media to work. There are some restrictions according to general documentation on human rights, but it is permitted to show the truth within the country and give people information about the things which are really happening. The main idea of democracy is to create society informed and educated, to make it better, that’s why there is a great competition for the Mass Media sources. In some ways government even support freedom of press, because it creates positive and responsible image of the country in the faces of the others.
