Press union's role in media professionalism

The following is based on the address of Christopher Warren, President of the International Federation of Journalists, at a gathering of the press union of the Kompas daily in Jakarta, Feb. 16.

JAKARTA: A union is about respect.

And in the media, it is about respect for the important job we do -- respect from our employers and from our governments.

Because those of us who work in the media are doing more than just a job. We are a central part of the democratic process in keeping governments accountable and keeping people informed.

That means that our professionalism demands that we be able to speak with an independent voice through our unions.

And that's why in almost every country in the world journalists and other media workers have formed independent unions. And why in most of the countries, a majority of journalists choose to be a member of their union.

The International Federation of Journalists acts as the international voice for journalists' unions, representing almost half a million journalists in about 130 independent organizations in over 100 countries around the world.

But why does a union improve the professionalism of the media?

The more journalists believe they are respected, the more independent they are, then the better journalists they are.

Journalists cannot work in conditions of want and fear.

Journalists who are unionized are better able to speak out on their own behalf and to fight for principles of a free press and freedom of speech.

That's why right around the world almost all the major papers and most credible radio and television broadcasters have unions who speak on behalf of the collective of journalists.

These collectives are essential to take advantage of the autonomous space that journalists and others who work in the media can enjoy.

This space is not uniform. Nor is it constant. But it is indestructible. It derives from a number of sources.

First, the production process itself in all media does not lend itself to rigid control. Whether it be in radio, television or print the time in which material can be prepared and broadcast or published is a fairly narrow window. This places great reliance on the journalist or broadcaster to utilize their own professional judgment.

Second, all media companies are forced by the logic of their position to support the principle of freedom of speech. No matter how insincere that support may be at times, it nonetheless helps to legitimate it as the dominant ideology within the media.

Third, the creation of media content is a highly skilled job and cannot be done under rigid supervision.

And fourth, the job of working in the media tends to attract people who take on the job because it is something they want to do and because they believe in the principles that underpin the job.

In short, this autonomous space is a reflection of the professionalism that is an essential part of our work.

And it needs journalists to work together through their unions to get the most of the professionalism that this autonomous space offers.

In short, if journalists believe that they are respected, then their independence and professionalism will be reflected in their work.

But why do unions benefit employers?

Of course, many media companies are slow to recognize the benefits of having a unionized workforce.

But in the medium to long term, people will buy newspapers, listen to the radio and watch television if it is giving them what they want.

People expect -- have a right to respect -- that their media will take them seriously. That it won't talk down to them. That it will give them the information they need in a way that they can understand.

Sensationalism and exaggeration will attract an audience for a short period, but over the long haul readers want reliable and accurate news and information.

That's not to say that good journalism has to be boring. It should be entertaining. But it must also be accurate and fair.

All the evidence around the world shows that people get sick of sensationalism pretty quickly. But good journalism will attract readers and will keep readers.

And again all the evidence is that good journalism is more likely to be produced when journalists and other media workers feel secure in their job and believe they are being adequately rewarded for their efforts.

That security and reward can only come from the protection that a union offers.

As journalists we cannot fulfill our democratic function if we are afraid of what will happen to our jobs.

Only a union can replace that fear with the confidence that comes from security and respect.

And from that confidence comes good journalism.

And from good journalism comes readers, and from readers come profits.

Indeed, around the world, most of the most profitable newspapers over the long term are papers where journalists and other media workers are members of a union.

For all these reasons, the developments here within Kompas are very welcome. They are good for the people who work here. They will be good for the company. And they will good for the ongoing battle to defend and entrench democracy and press freedom in Indonesia.