The Fifth Estate Editorial

Tony Burman was spot on: Every news organization, the former editor of CBC News opined, has only its own credibility and reputation to rely on. The New York Times cannot afford to suffer fools gladly; and Fox News will keep doing what Fox News does best. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a plethora of publications on the African continent; and also, a string of outstanding African journalists. And then there’s ‘people’ such as us; straddling the line between journalism and what else lies out there in the world of news and opinion. At this juncture, it might behoove us to categorically state that we give journalists and those who report the news the platitudes due to those who make up the 4th Estate. In proper speak, a societal or political force whose influence is not consistently or officially recognized can be referred to as the Fourth Estate. Lawyers were once referred to in these venerable terms – but they have, since, been relegated to another field. Journalists are different not only because they are so, easily, taken for granted but because they do us a great service of sifting through materials and putting things into context for us. And just like our ears can hear a wrong note being sung, played or tuned, we can tell who is a good journalist or reporter. We can see those who we see as reliable, credible and especially, worthy of our praise.

Which brings us back to reputation: What do we want to be when we grow up? Its simple, actually. Our tag line is: In the Business of Good News. We ought to be judged on all kinds of things. However, the first thing you should take away from this website is that good things are happening in Africa, in the Diaspora and in the different countries that form the Caribbean. When a person of color breaks a record or where an African economy seems to settle into favorable pace of development, we shall collect reports on it. When necessary, we shall expound on the ramifications of a good news story and put it into context. Sometimes, we shall address the salient issues that we see trending the networks. And other times, we shall sit back and allow you to guide us on where to go. Simply, our reputation will be built like capitalism built its wealth: aggressively, collaboratively and also, strategically.

The Habari Network aims to broker access to those who have slaved long and hard to create a stellar reputation in their respective markets. Those of us who cannot necessarily do what the journalists do will work towards bringing these individuals to your doorstep, figuratively speaking. This, in our estimation, is what it means to be in the 5th Estate. We have a role to play; and we shall play the piper – singing songs to those that report; singing their praises and synthesizing some of their most mind blowing or eye opening treatises into palatable bits and pieces. This is not, in anyway, to suggest that you cannot do this for yourself. No. We believe that just as there is a role for campaign managers and marketing executives, there is a role for websites that congregate information. The Habari Network stands proud amongst those who started the trend that is sweeping the blogosphere and the web.

Conversely, there’s another reason for this online news source: A people of color such as ourselves ought to discuss race. Not enough material can be collected on it. Thus, from time to time, we shall delve into this construct simply because it is right and fitting to do this. We shall also look into the aspects around colonialism and independence. Written in opinion pieces, these articles will be set on a series of fundamental issues and will also be in reaction to phenomena observed in political science and sociology. We shall also discuss things like Idi Amin‘s legacy on the world; how Robert Mugabe led to the rebranding of Africa; why Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Barbados could form an enclave of instructors to Africa; and also, show that the Democratic Republic of Congo is not that far away from the First World. Also, starting in 2012, we shall run a weekly excerpt of the fictional presidency of Edward Akena II. These, we hope, will set the stage for the next phase of world news domination – purely based on reputation, of course.

Dennis Matanda,
Editor | [email protected]