Francis Fonseca on Freedom of the Press

Francis Fonseca

The media is often described as the fourth estate, carrying the mandate of holding governments accountable in a democratic society. But are elected officials required to give interviews. It is something that some political pundits believe should be legislated. The consultation on constitutional reform and the work of the Peoples’ Constitution Commission continues and freedom of the press being protected by the constitution has come up in the discourse.  During an interview with Minister of Education Francis Fonseca, he was asked whether or not he agrees. Fonseca says the media plays an important role and as an elected official, he believes that giving interviews is part of the job.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“I don’t know that you can legislate that. I don’t know that that will be effective. But I think all politicians, public officials should understand and recognise that is a part of your job that is a part of your responsibility to the people and the press is providing you with an opportunity to engage directly with the Belizean people. We are elected by the people, we are accountable to the people and this is a part of holding us accountable. I don’t know that that will be effective, but I am happy that that’s part of the discussion; that has to be part of the discussion. But let’s see what comes out of the constitutional reform process. I think the press is absolutely fundamental to our democracy. It’s fundamental, in my view, to the rule of law. The press has historically always acted as a check and balance on power. That’s the whole purpose and objective of the press. So even when we get irritated by questions, and over the 20 years I have been asked a lot of these irritating questions, I still understand and appreciate the absolute importance of functioning strong press. So I certainly hope that when the People’s Commission, Constitutional Commission completes its work, that as a part of their recommendations, and of course these things have to come from the people, so I hope the press is doing its work and getting your representatives to advance this issue. I hope that at the end of when that report is produced, that that will be one of the recommendations and I certainly will be very, very happy to support that recommendation.”