Curiosity Is a Public Obligation – Way of life

In the present local weather, I can’t assist however take into consideration energy, management, public workplace and what it means to be accountable when so many individuals are watching.

Recently, a journalist was escorted from State House in Windhoek for asking a query exterior of what was thought of the suitable time and setting.

The query was in regards to the president’s household and their alleged affect within the budding oil and fuel sector – one thing that issues to everybody in Namibia.

Firstly, protocol exists for a cause. Leaders have duties that go far past what we are able to see as residents, and sustaining order is an important aspect of their roles.

On the opposite hand, and I’m saying this as a journalist and activist, defiance might be equally as vital for safeguarding human rights, difficult authority (and the established order), holding authority accountable and defending democracy and press freedom.

The public deserves readability, and the extra highly effective you’re, the extra folks will need to learn about what you’re doing, particularly when these selections have an effect on wealth, assets and alternative.

We like to idolise our battle heroes, don’t we? The ones who stood as much as authority, who broke protocol, who refused to be silenced even when the foundations have been towards them. We rejoice them for difficult methods that appeared untouchable.

And rightly so. Our freedom was not received with compliance. That will not be what our identification is. We are a nation formed by battle and resistance. It is drilled into us early on that our liberty was paid for in blood by individuals who have been prepared to put their lives down for his or her beliefs.

At the identical time, I do know there are moments when timing and context matter. The president is in cost and anybody with even a tiny bit of data of how good organisations operate and thrive, is aware of that damaged ranks make a gaggle weak.

It’s actually a slippery slope from insubordination to chaos.

So the place can we draw the road? Where does protocol finish and press freedom start?

I feel the road exists with respecting the foundations but additionally respecting curiosity, accountability and the appropriate to ask questions in the course of the transient moments we have now entry to individuals who can really give solutions.

I could also be biased in fact. I began studying Uri Gordon’s ‘Anarchy Alive!’ in highschool, and it opened my eyes to the concept difficult authority isn’t simply rebellious, it’s essential.

It helped me perceive that typically guidelines are made to guard energy, not folks and that breaking protocol with goal and precept is a part of shaping a fairer society.

As a author I spend my life observing, reflecting and translating moments into phrases that may attain others. And I see this as greater than an incident; I see it as a lesson in democracy, one thing to be studied. It’s not about taking sides actually. It’s about analysing how fragile belief is and the way cautious we have to be with it, and about how uncomfortable questions are usually not enemies of management, however essential friction.

It is crucial that we consistently dissect these matters.

We stay in a time of data overload. There are information and opinions in every single place, but there may be additionally usually silence the place there needs to be readability.

Even if it sounds apparent, nobody is ideal. Journalists will make errors. Leaders will make errors. Security officers will make errors.

I do know this very nicely as somebody who was as soon as detained for protesting.

So what ought to we hope for? How about readability and openness? It’s not too late for the president to deal with the question. It needs to be easy sufficient. I additionally hope for conversations which might be troublesome however protected.

I hope for journalists who’re considerate and courageous and for leaders who’re affected person and clear. I hope for guidelines that exist to information, to not block. I hope for boundaries that defend, not punish.

It might be exhausting to consider all this. To take into consideration energy, duty, belief and accountability.

And but, it’s also thrilling. Because when these tensions exist, when these questions are requested, when these guidelines are examined, that’s democracy in motion.

Not solely that, however conditions like this kick up some essential conversations. It permits us all to analyse how issues are going and earnestly categorical our opinions.

Only good can come from debate and dialogue.

And so, I return to the start. Protocol is vital. Press freedom is vital. Public scrutiny is vital. Leadership being accountable to the folks is vital. All of these items exist collectively in a fragile dance, and the well being of our democracy is determined by how nicely we stability them.

It will not be about being excellent. It is about being conscious.

In the tip, I feel it comes right down to belief. Trust that leaders won’t worry curiosity. Trust that journalists won’t abuse entry.

Trust that protocols are guides, not cages. Trust that the general public will proceed to ask questions, and that the solutions will proceed to be given.

That belief is fragile, sure. That belief is valuable, completely. And that belief is what our democracy is fabricated from.

– Anne Hambuda is a social commentator, novelist and poet. Follow her on-line or e-mail her at [email protected] for extra.

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