Speak No Evil: Society & Media

OP-ED

Conventionally speaking, if our conceptual point of departure is thought to be the fact that our societal forces, taken together as one massive ideological conglomerate including the currently functioning political powers, constitute a public forum for discussion, within which sizzling controversy is a constant value, then we can openly make the following statement: the fight within said forum is harsh, ruthless and coldblooded.

It is heard throughout the world that our means of mass communication is in crisis. They say it needs innovation, undelayed pecuniary propping, rejuvenation, a wider public eye and governmental leniency to a certain extent, to put it as fairly as possible. Press analysts, journalists, scientists, artists, and the rank-and-file suggest that the media is under unprecedented pressure and its workers make less money than before, notwithstanding the famous anchors, announcers, commentators and mega-show hosts.

Everyone is aware of and is furious about the World Leader’s attitude towards the media. The United States president demonstrates regular physical aversion to both press and television, hurling vituperative invectives on journalists who watch him with goggle-eyes or sour expressions. And the bitterest part of the act is that the man is being joined by other political glitterati of the world, as if they have sighed with relief at hearing that the biggest boss of the strongest democracy on the planet has exposed himself as the greatest and the most outspoken disparager of the media.

Georgia has not stood apart from the newly born and lavishly flowing process, though it is known in the western realm as the first and utmost fighter for freedom and democracy among the former soviet republics, trying more ferociously in the last quarter century to squeeze itself into the group of more contentedly living nations than it has ever done before.

Now, the question of the day is how to check the assault of political figures and figurines on media in general and in this country in particular. The Georgian press is brimming with comments on the issue but there is a definite paucity of suggested solutions, and there is a reason for the lack of practicable analysis in this direction: the absence of complete certainty as to where we actually stand. I voraciously read into those comments and try to make cogent interpretations, which does not by any means mean that I have achieved the level of thinking which might easily save the day.

Based on what I hear, it is widely understood that democracy needs powerful journalism, but a part of society detests any journalism which shows power and functions wisely, professionally and resourcefully enough to administer huge clout on society. Some of us are clearly allergic to democracy, law, objectivity, fairness, truthfulness, morality and the logic of the contemporary world. Why should it be so excruciating to tolerate the forcefulness, directness, impudence, effrontery and resilience of journalists who are trying to do what they think their job is and what they are paid for, although nominally in most cases? It is agonizing only because a journalist is often an obstacle for a certain class to live comfortably and unaccountably; a comfortable lifestyle which often includes political coziness and longevity in office.

World media informs us that one of the examples of freedom from free press is Russia – the angry, vicious, brutal and aggressive occupier of our historical lands. I know that many in Georgia envy the bear its political comfort and serenity, although stifling for millions there. There are other countries of that ilk too, but should I waste my valuable time and ink on this egregious triviality? Triviality, because suppression of dissenting thought is still one of the most vivid features of the world we are living in with shaken pleasure. Geniuses of our civilization have used numerous smart and sharp words to describe the media, but their wisdom no longer works as a precept for those who hate the media and its freedom. From another standpoint, it is almost unbearable to put up with somebody else’s freedom and comfort when yours is vague and insecure.

Nugzar B. Ruhadze