Patriotism can simply be defined as the love for or devotion to one’s country but others would add an element of supporting, serving, and defending the integrity of the nation to the definition.
In classical 18th century patriotism, loyalty to the State was chiefly considered in contrast to loyalty to the Church, and it was argued that clerics should not be allowed to teach in public schools as their patrie was heaven, so that they could not inspire love of the homeland in their studs.
On the other hand, the U.S Constitution states that: “patriotism is knowing the difference between freedoms of expression, and desecrating our U.S. Flag.”
Taking the above definition by the US constitution, one can deduce that since media can inform people giving them the voice to be heard and heeded to; has a mammoth task to guide guard jealously the sovereignty and integrity of its nation.This is where the problem begins with many African media houses as they do not understand the deference between “freedoms of expression, and desecrating their countries` Flags”.
It is a sad reality that many African media houses, because of the love of money or mere naivety on the part of those in control, publish and or broadcast staff that is detrimental to their countries` cultures, religion and their own pride, and this explains why cultural erosion has gone on rampage in the resource endowed but poor continent of Africa.
Zimbabwe`s Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, recently urged his country`s local media industry to develop a sense of nationalism and put aside political differences.
Professor Moyo, who toured one of Zimbabwe`s private media ,the Daily News printing press and newsroom, to get an appreciation of the group’s operations, stressed the fact that media should appreciate that the country has a common destiny and history.
Ignatius Wakatama, a social commentator, is of Professor Moyo`s thinking that media should be patriotic as well as promote nationalism.
“A responsible media should equally help in socialisation of people into citizenship, democratisation of the State and political society, institutionalisation of civic culture through unfettered flow of information, and rationalized use of power in social relations,” said Wakatama.
However, Theodore Roosevelt has a broader definition of what patriotism is and what it is not as many people do not understand the real meaning of the word.
“Patriotism means to stand by the country; it does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.”
“It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiently or otherwise he fails I his duty to stand by the country.
“In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else,” he said.
It is of paramount importance that media practitioners understand the meaning and importance of patriotic reporting as they have the responsibility to inform, educate and entertain their respective countries.
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