Haitian journalist wins the Francophone Free Press Award by exposing development issues

November 21, 2009

Gaby Saget, a young Haitian journalist, recently won one of two Francophone Free Press Awards. The other winner was Chansophea Ung, of Cambodia who won the award for written journalism. I interviewed Saget about the significance of the free press for development in Haiti, a small island developing state and one of the world’s least developed countries.

The Francophone Free Press Award (Le Prix Jean Hélène) was created in 2001 in an alliance between Radio France International, Reporters without Borders and l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). With four categories, written, radio, photography and drawing, its goal is to support and promote journalists from the global South. Candidates for the award can come from 41 participating OIF member countries, excluding states from the European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.

Hervé Barraquand, head of projects concerning “free press and media pluralism” at (OIF) explained that the award focuses on the global south because journalists in these countries often work in much more difficult conditions than in developed countries. These countries also often suffer from more restrictions on press freedoms, and journalists from these countries need support to gain a name for themselves on the world stage.

Access to information available through a free press is an essential part of development as it allows for greater awareness and participation in local social movements. Barraquand described, “as actors in political dialogue, the media in fact plays a fundamental role in the diffusion of the values of liberty, tolerance and peace.”

Saget similarly described the importance of free press specifically for Haiti, “the first role of the press is to circulate information, which is vital for a country as undeveloped as Haiti where information is only communicated a little, and poorly.” She continued, “The second important role for development is to alert the public powers and to stimulate reflection on social issues.”

Haiti has a history of political turmoil, which has hindered the country’s development and the citizen’s participation in public affairs. Haiti faces chronic unemployment and a huge income gap between the French speaking minority and the Creole-speaking majority. The justice system is heavily corrupted and infrastructure has been repeatedly destroyed by tropical storms. In the face of these enormous challenges to development, Saget described the press in Haiti as generally distracted from the development issues facing the country. “Unfortunately, Haitian journalists focus on politics without looking into the depth of things. I would hope that they would have a better treatment of the social reality of the country.”

In her story, broadcast on Radio Metropole, “The work conditions of subcontracting workers in Porte-au-Prince” Saget addressed her perceived need of greater exploration of social and development issues in Haiti. She interviewed workers about their experience as subcontractors in the factories. Some workers earn less than $2 per day, which does not cover their living expenses. They also cope with difficult working conditions. One worker described being locked in the factory and being restricted from leaving even to use the restroom.

Saget explained that Haitian journalist tend to censor themselves even with the improved freedom of the press since the democratic election and United Nation intervention in 2004. “Now the situation is better, but journalists are in the habit of self-censorship when they address certain touchy political or economic subjects. Others know that if they attack the major economic or political interests it is at their risk and peril. The current government theoretically guarantees respect for the freedom of expression, but there is endemic insecurity and the justice systems functions poorly.”

Given the difficulty of producing quality reporting in Haiti, it is noteworthy that Saget has dedicated herself to this battle. She sees this as a manner of addressing development issues in Haiti. “This would certainly contribute to Haitians knowing their country and society better and would be profitable for everyone.”