Press freedom — many preach it and many try hard

to really promote the concept but very few news

organizations are really able to actually practise it in the real,

transparent, non-negotiable sense of the term. In most

instances there is the element of compromise — of having to

sacrifice editorial integrity to satisfy established vested

interests.

Earlier this week on Sunday, May 3, World Press

Freedom Day was celebrated though it was muted in many

places where press freedom is an anathema to the powers that

be. The celebration highlights the fact that, unless there is

unhindered access to accurate information, the value of all

other rights is diminished; especially so when we now live in

the so-called information age where the access to information

is vital to navigate our way successfully and achieve our

objectives. Managed news is no substitute for the real thing.

This key access to information is further accentuated by

access to information and communication technology.

News organizations have a major role to convey the

events taking place as well as the decisions made by the

powers that be in their own countries and around the world

to the man in the street. And the man in the street who equips

himself with the latest key bits and bytes of information has

an edge over his uninformed neighbour and is always able to

make the better or the right decision — be it business or

personal.

Internet: bt.com.bn (adapted)