This evening Grocott’s Mail and the Rhodes Journalism School will be hosting a panel discussion on whether the media in South Africa is under siege or not. The choice of topic follows the government’s support for the Protection of Public Information Bill and a media tribunal, both seen as ways to muzzle the media.
This evening Grocott’s Mail and the Rhodes Journalism School will be hosting a panel discussion on whether the media in South Africa is under siege or not. The choice of topic follows the government’s support for the Protection of Public Information Bill and a media tribunal, both seen as ways to muzzle the media.
Government leaders deny this accusation, saying that they have no intention of curbing press freedom and South African President, Jacob Zuma, said the media tribunal would promote “media freedom
within the context of the human rights ethos”.
On the other hand, Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, made his views on media freedom very clear when he described local media as a threat to democracy.
The lines are clearly drawn between those who view media freedom as sacrosanct and those who believe that the South African press is incompetent, irresponsible and incapable of self-regulation.
This debate has been raging on the national stage for several weeks already and while we have discussed it to a limited degree in the pages of this newspaper, there has not been an opportunity for an in-depth dialogue at local level.
We have invited community, religious and political leaders as well as academics and students to take part in this frank exchange of ideas, but we would also like to see Makana citizens taking part in this conversation.
We will gather comments for publication in Grocott’s Mail and the Grocott’s Online website and we will make audio recordings of the debate to be edited and played on Radio Grahamstown.
In other words, this will be a true multi-media event. So if you are interested in the future of freedom of expression in this country whether you have an opinion to voice, or if you would simply like to hear what others have to say, then please join Grocott’s Mail and the Rhodes School of Journalism for a debate on the future of the media in South Africa at Noluthando Hall in Joza this evening at 6 for 6.30pm.
