Many across the world including scholars, journalists, civil society actors, and entrepreneurs on September 10, 2022, witnessed the official launch of Thampers Media.
The Executive Editor of Thampers Media, Solomon Amabo, welcoming attendees, said the platform does not primordially seek to make money but to contribute something positive to make society a better place, through journalism.
“Many of us are from developing countries where the rule of law is baffled with impunity including freedom of thought and expression which remain a luxury. Thampers Media seeks to promote freedom of expression which is one of the fundamental human rights. We have a strong feeling that we have a responsibility to contribute something to improve and make our society a better place to live in,” he said.
He added that the public would be engaged and can expect their feedback to be taken seriously.
Thampers Media is a project that intends to grow into a bigger platform that would at a later stage, include a Radio and TV station. It is a vision and the entire team is working towards getting that dream realised. We seek to collaborate with the public and for them to be confident they are dealing with men and women filled with the urge to contribute to building a more sustainable society.
Launching the platform that will focus on investigative reporting and feature story writing, the Chief launcher and academic, Dr. Etah Ewane discussed the role of investigative journalism in fostering peace, justice, and building strong institutions.
He said the UN charter recognizes the right to information as a fundamental human right and helps in building a strong and healthy democracy. He encouraged the Thampers Media team to live up to the challenges.
“We are glad that young Africans are taking the initiative to practice investigative journalism and to protect the public interest. You will have to go beyond ordinary reporting and ask fundamental questions. Do politicians obey the law? Are public works subject to misappropriation? Do lobbies have undue influence on the legislative process? You would be expected not just to report facts but go back to check possible wrong behaviour, ” he said.
The geopolitical and development analyst insisted that the watchdog role of investigative journalists, makes authoritarian regimes consider them as targets and urges the public to give them their support. “Investigative journalism protects democracy on a daily basis and exposes bad behaviors or abuse when it occurs. The public is expected to give their support to investigative journalists in a way that they would be free to do their work without fear and influence. In that way peace and strong institutions which are Africa’s weakness would be built,” he explained.
Officially unveiling the platform, Thampers Media’s digital analyst, Nadesh Eduke, said the site contains some interesting features.
“This site is very flexible and has a language translator for about seven languages including French, Swedish, and German among others. The site is also segmented into different categories that include, current affairs, investigations, Diaspora, Business and contains reports on issues related to climate change, human rights violations,” she said.
She displayed an interesting story about THE DAWIT ISAAK LIBRARY: a library that safeguards and preserves books, literature, and work of art, banned across the globe. There is also a report which spoke about the dangers of climate change that could be devastating to the African continent in case there is a prolonged drought.
Thampers Media’s Managing Editor, Peter Tah who briefly presented the editorial team, said they were not only practitioners who have proven their worth, but also ready to use the platform to contribute meaningfully to the development of the journalism profession.
In the question and answer session at the online launch, moderated by Rosaline Obah, participants did not hesitate to encourage the team with words of caution. Christer Wirklund, a Swedish national and friend of the media saw the need for Africans to assume responsibility in writing their story, although it would not be a bed of roses.
“It is important that investigative journalism is not only done locally or nationally but internationally. It is important to investigate how previous colonial powers, manipulate the countries they once held in their hands. Because it still happens. We cannot forget that most of their riches come from African countries. They have been instrumental in writing the history of Africa. Africans need their own history writers in telling the true story, “he advised.
“You would meet resistance and lies and people who would try to stop you. It is the drive that you have that would be behind your success, ” he added.
Jane Ngu another attendee called on Thampers Media to always read comments and remarks from the audience in order to improve their work and take into consideration the views of all and sundry. There was a general feeling of satisfaction as reactions poured into the newsroom after the event.
