IT is taught in schools and generally accepted in academia and media that the gatekeepers of the media are the owners, editors, executive staff that operate the various newsrooms.

Certainly, there are grounds upon which such a statement can be made as it is observed in the constant day-to-day operations of media houses around the world, displayed in the form common of a general editorial meeting to discuss upcoming stories, features and broadcasts.

However, there are those unspoken occurrences, which lead us to wonder where gatekeeping actually begins. Gatekeeping in its truest form refers to the filtering of the information that is made available to the public depending on factors varying from relevance to legal issues.

The gatekeeper decides which information will go forward, and which will not. It is important to realise that gatekeepers are able to control the public’s knowledge of the actual events by letting some stories pass through the system and on the other hand keeping others out. Consider the fact that with every smooth working system, information goes through a hierarchy.

The gatekeeper gauges the information passed through this hierarchy so as to ensure that security and social control is maintained.

Their choices are guided by a moral code that is accepted by society and manifests itself objectively in the laws of the land and subjectively in the culture of the country. The gatekeeper’s choices can be likened to a web consisting of influences, preferences and motives. This portrayal might lead one to raise the flag of deception and controversy but a world without restraint and order is a world without rhyme or reason.

With such an immense responsibility, who or what guides their judgement is the question that is left unresolved. The reason for this is that a moral code is subjective and is oftentimes regarded as being influenced by one’s mood, religious belief and socialisation.

Interpretation plays a key role in administering this information as the age-old saying of what is good for the goose might not be good for the gander is applicable. This is the reason why laws and justice systems differ since societies are different.

The gatekeeper appreciates this fact and moves forward with the interests of the wider society in hindsight.

A good gatekeeper is one that has a strong knowledge of the company’s audience, one that plays a part in developing any media documents and guidelines, be a good communicator and have the understanding of the company’s goals to better align the programme with other marketing efforts.

There is one common element in all forms of media and that is the people. Their interests and well-being must at all times be the driving force behind the gatekeeper’s decision on what to allow and what to cast aside.

Children especially have been regarded as being negatively affected by the images portrayed in the media. The gatekeeper has to create a safe haven for the exposure of a young mind to content that can adversely shape their growth and development. They cannot be the future if their present is badly sculpted.

Inevitably, we must as a public accept as well that there are things happening that we will not know.

But before you consider this a foul on the part of media houses, answer this question for yourself. Would you feel safe knowing that your security company gave access to anyone to come into your home?

If the answer to this is no, then you have a better understanding of the pressure of television, radio and newspapers to be censored.