Media freedom needs more than talk - ANC

The ANC wants to encourage an attitude towards South Africa that is founded on the reality of the country. The world must see the problems and the successes. The world must experience the people of South Africa in all their diversity, even if “it may at times become a cacophony”.

It is looking for good coverage of the country and for the international community to have confidence in the direction the country is taking.

“But we don't want that confidence to be founded on spin and advertising campaigns. We don't wish to generate international goodwill simply because we've managed to recruit the local or international media to our cause.

“We want international confidence to be based on an informed understanding of what this country is all about, and be able to form views and make decisions based on accurate and balanced accounts. There are, of course, a range of differing perspectives on the state of the nation. What appears accurate and balanced to one person, could be anything but that to someone else.

“That is why diversity is so important - diversity in terms of the voices that are heard in the media, and diversity in the ownership, control and composition of the media itself”, Motlanthe said.

There should be no shying away from the controversial and difficult but it is important to find ways to portray the great advances that are being made daily.