2023-04-29 14:39:26
General João Lourenço made it a golden rule in his (bad) kingdom that the freedom of journalists must end where that of his (bad) MPLA begins, whether in Angola or in other countries (as is the case of his socialist protectorate which goes by the name of Portugal ), understanding that their freedom has no limits. And there is no lack of followers, not only in the MPLA, not only in Portugal.
By Orlando Castro
PFor some reason, a long time ago, but always up to date, António Barreto – a very prestigious Portuguese sociologist – said about José Sócrates what today applies down to the last detail to João Lourenço. In other words, that “he does not tolerate being contradicted, nor does he admit that people think differently than he organized with his powerful intoxication agencies that he calls communication”.
António Barreto also added, in a terse way, that “Prime Minister José Sócrates is the most serious threat against freedom, against the autonomy of private initiatives and against the personal independence that Portugal has known in the last three decades”. 100% applicable to João Lourenço.
Accustomed to newsroom workers in the media (journalists are, of course, substantially different things) eating out of the hands of the MPLA, João Lourenço cannot live with freedom of expression, with the right to indignation and also with the duty of journalists to scrutinize government activity.
That is why General João Lourenço, President of the MPLA, of the Republic and holder of the Executive Branch (among other positions) gets along well with his own shadow, as well as with other shadows that are always in agreement with him. In an attitude that is becoming a school, he prefers to be killed by praise than saved by criticism. As far as Folha 8 and TV 8 are concerned, he will not be assassinated.
It is, of course, your right. The problem is that he wants to transform, as a “pure” son of the MPLA, the country into a heap of brainless and invertebrates holders of the MPLA militant card.
The bitterness of the President of the Republic (not nominally elected) when he sees a journalist who dares to say what he doesn’t like also reflects the frustration he must feel for not having managed, although he has tried and continues to try, to transform all journalists into such headless and invertebrate animals at the (well paid) service of their cause.
Incidentally, for this floor that indicates that to the 47 years of Power the MPLA wants to add another 53, it will be certain that all those who insist on being journalists end up. If in half a dozen years in power, General João Lourenço did what he did, if he continues there, it will be the end of freedom of expression and diversity of opinions.
Paraphrasing António Barreto, we will say that “we do not know whether João Lourenço is a fascist. We don’t think so, but honestly, we don’t know. Anyway, the important thing is not there. What he does not support is independence from others, from people, organizations, companies or institutions.
«It does not tolerate being contradicted, nor does it admit that one thinks differently from the way it has organized with its powerful intoxication agencies that it calls communication.
«In their ideal of life, everyone would be subject to the Disciplinary Regime of the Civil Service, revised and reinforced by their government.”
João Lourenço converted the ex-advisors certainly called now, in defense of the supposed freedom, of – as the ex-minister Archer Mangueira would say in his brilliant English – “Press officers and Media consultants”, who speak every day with administrators, directors and journalists from MPLA television, radio (MPLA) and newspapers (MPLA) and (as far as journalists are concerned) “write news with all the professional requirements, in order to make life easier for journalists”. They do it in Angola as in other countries.
These “Press officers and Media consultants” almost always lie. They overdo it from time to time. They organize press breaks when it suits them. They protest against press leaks when it gets good. They reward those who conform. They punish with threats and persecution those who transgressed. It’s the fonts. That flood or dry up.
And then? So this is the country we live in: Lying is an art. This is our society: scenery replaces reality. This is the prevailing culture: deceit is worth more than truth.
And why does Generalissimo João Lourenço, as well as his sepoys, not like Folha 8 and TV 8? First of all, because we have an obligation and a duty to report the facts with rigor and accuracy and to interpret them honestly.
Because if we don’t try to find out what’s going on, we’re not fulfilling our mission. Because if we know what’s going on and eventually keep silent, we’re committing a crime with the only people we should be accountable to: the readers.
Because we do not accept restrictions on access to information sources, namely those of public origin, and we consider that these restrictions are an unacceptable barrier to freedom of expression and the right to inform.
Because we refuse to divulge our confidential sources of information, sacredly respecting the commitments assumed with them. The non-disclosure of sources is, incidentally, one of the reasons why it is worth being arrested.
Because if a journalist doesn’t try to find out what’s going on, he’s an imbecile, becoming a criminal when he knows what’s going on and shuts up.
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#GENERAL #Newspaper #Folha