Our country is passing through a bad phase when it comes to true leadership. This is quite evident from what has transpired in the last days, with manipulation of media and journalistic postings seeming to be the prerogative of political leaders.
Malta desires and truly deserves good leaders who should always prove themselves to be the country’s leaders.
A true leader must have an honest understanding of who he is, what he should know and what he can do. He has to keep in mind that it is the followers, and not the leader, who determine if he is successful and it is they he has to convince, not himself, that he is worthy of being followed.
If people lack confidence in their leader, they will be uninspired. A leader has to instil mutual trust and confidence, create a culture that fosters high ethical standards, behave in a fair, ethical manner towards others and demonstrate a sense of corporate responsibility and commitment to the people at large.
Public service is a public trust. Every political leader is vested with authority and the greatest obligation of every individual in politics is to fulfil this basic trust with professional and personal integrity. The values a political leader proclaims are justice, equality and morality. A leader further pledges to “well and fully discharge the duties… of office” in addition to faithfully adhering to the ethical principles required of all honest and decent people
Fair and ethical behaviour and following through on commitments and promises are integral to the ability to build trust. They are prerequisites to being effective in all roles of service to the people. These competencies and/or behaviours are closely allied to the concept of “servant leadership” and are needed at all levels. If a person is not ethical and trustworthy, that person cannot be in a position of trust. No one should even be considered fit to become a team leader without having demonstrated the integrity, honesty and trustworthiness to have and maintain a position of public trust.
Journalists and others employed in the media have a great responsibility to the public. Being employed by an organisation or institution requires that – irrespective of what one’s personal political or religious convictions may be – one always presents a fair report in terms of the mission statement of that organisation or institution. This is referred to as the loyalty and integrity of the individual.
It would be appropriate for any employment contract to include a clause regarding loyalty and integrity. Being an informant to others outside one’s employer is quite unacceptable.
Public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility.
I think recent events show that some journalists appear to have committed a faux pas. This was quite evident from the emails that were brought to light in the public domain. Today, with the technical tools we have at our disposal, we do not gather information using the ‘Watergate’ method – where political experts disguised themselves as plumbers, electricians and whatever to enter the Opposition’s premises. Today one can get all the information one wants with just a click – if a particular PC has not been turned off by its owner.
As the start of the election campaign draws closer, let us hope that no sleaze comes out under the excuse that “the end justifies the means”.
Henry S. Pace
SLIEMA