Let's Budget for the Media...(Press as Fourth Estate)

Am I stirring something? Yes. But only to the myopic or misbelieving! The 21st century is about change, and is about to change EVERYTHING! Believe.

Democracy is believed to be about choice, human rights, votes and good governance. Fine. So, it is firmly anchored on the 3-Arms (parliament, executive, judiciary). And in most cases, stood on the 3-Levels (federal, region/province/state, local/county). Then, finally, comes the Press (holding government and our leaders accountable). So, we say: the FOUR Estates of the Realm.

Nothing new in that civics lesson, right? Fine.

In all nations, we budget for the first THREE and let the FOURTH fend for itself - unless, of course, it is publicly-owned. Well, most of the world's press - from newspapers to radio stations and television houses - were government organs before not too long ago. Many many still are. But things are changing fast.

Known facts, right? Fine.

In a way, therefore, we can argue that we actually budgeted for the Fourth! Fair. Hey, but are government-owned media free and able to HOLD government and leaders ACCOUNTABLE? Don't kid us, folks. Go in search...

So, here is the real beef:

The media have evolved in many ways, will transform in even more ways, and the INTERNET will make things more challenging, if exciting, in the years ahead. While being able to inform, educate and entertain, the media must still constitutionally HOLD us all ACCOUNTABLE in the end. So, as we privatise for efficiency and effectiveness, we must support DEMOCRACY and sustain GOOD GOVERNANCE. That portion of media costs must have our imprint - our collective imprint.

I propose that every nation, every democracy, provides for this TASK by GRANT-aiding their MEDIA Houses. It is a simple matter: let us do so in the same manner we happily funded them when they were owned by government, except that we now must work out the criteria for eligibility, accountability and responsibility. Then, write the laws to bind us all.

Very easy, right?

Well, we fund political parties through some formulae, don't we? We finance civil society and multilateral agencies somehow, don't we? So, let's work out the very best, innovative, ambitious and constitutional way of funding the MEDIA - the very FOURTH Estate of our Realm!

A national trust, an independent 5-yearly bond, treasury cheques, tax credits, or...

For Africa, this be a goldmine for democracy!