Why it is risky for the media to take boat rides from big business

A few years ago, a new, well publicised social event made its way into the social calendar. It was exclusive for journalists and many looked forward to it. It was an upgrade from what we were previously accustomed to know as the ‘media bash.’ Here big business would invite journalists and treat them to eats, drinks and all manner of merry-making.

At the end of the day, they walked home with branded items such as t-shirts, umbrellas, key holders and, of course, the ubiquitous transport allowance in cash. All this was to thank them for the thankless job that is journalism.
Then the game got upped. We entered an era of the famed boat ride sponsored by Uganda’s richest man on the reputable Forbes list. Sudhir Ruparelia of the now defunct Crane Bank Limited gave many journalists their first experience of wining, dining and riding on the picturesque Lake Victoria or any water body for that matter - free of charge. For emphasis, it was on a proper yacht not some rickety home-made raft common in these parts of the world.
Of course, as in all the cases where journalists were ensconced with big business in social events for their own entertainment and comfort, positive reports of such events were made immediately thereafter and highlighted positively with pictures showing the magnanimity of a socially responsible corporate citizen. Then last year, the bank went under and was sold off by the Central Bank. We did not have a boat ride and neither do we expect one from the same quarters in the new future.

And almost overnight, the reported story of success based on frugality, ingenuity and hard work that was Crane Bank, evaporated from the media.
For it now seems that while members of the Fourth Estate were being treated to tasty cuisine and imbibing on the fresh waters of the famed Lake Victoria, back on the shore, a big story was passing them by.
As they say, success has many fathers, failure is an orphan, now many with the benefit of being wise, after the event some who took the boat rides, claim that all along they knew ‘something was amiss’, but they could not piece together the whole puzzle for it was very ‘complicated.’

This brings us to the enduring but often unanswered question: ‘When is a media practitioner too close to a major news source for comfort?’ If we may ask, does being very close to big business blur the vision of a journalist to the extent of severely compromising the way they report?
If a journalist opts to be a recluse in the face of big business -if at all it is possible - will they still be in position get to the heart of the story and give a good report?

As we mull over those issues, we also have to face certain realities in the Ugandan and third world context. For the average journalist and even ‘well paid’ middle class Ugandan, the economic pressures in the daily grind of paying school, rental and health bills for family are enough to drain ones resources to negative and leave them perpetually in debt.
Many responsible corporate citizens know this very well for they employ and pay similarly. They know that a boat ride, smart phone, interest free loan, wedding contribution, air ticket and a trip to a national park to enjoy game drives and nights in the wild, are things that would make a lasting impression on many.

If the impression is on people who wield influence like journalists, it makes a sensible investment to have them enjoy these treats, for good manners dictate that you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Now as we sit back and read the developing story of Crane Bank - that the Uganda media seem to have learnt of recently - we should throw the ball back into the court of media owners.
What can be done to ensure that our own are cared for to the extent that they confidently remain afloat after disposing of their own wedding budgets?

If we remain in the current situation where journalists can’t chicanery of a free flat screen and mushroom steak with drinks on the house, pass them by, then we risk the entire profession drowning one day in the lake, on a free boat ride from big business.

Nicholas Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues. [email protected]
Twitter: @nsengoba