Media freedom: newspapers step up rhetoric against state

Angriest message

The Citizen newspaper on Thursday, 5 August 2010, delivered in its front page what can perhaps be described as the angriest message of the campaign so far (view its gallery of front pages).

The message, titled 'Don't let bullies block your freedom', which came against the backdrop of the brutal arrest of Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika this week, says: "A campaign against the media, orchestrated by ANC cadres who do not like their dealings being aired, has taken an ugly, physical turn.

"The chilling message, reminiscent of dictator Robert Mugabe and his ilk, is clear: write about us and we'll get you...

"Press freedom is your freedom"

"Press freedom is your freedom. It is a light faintly flickering. A terrible darkness will descend if that light is snuffed out. Look north, and tremble. Don't you let Cele's thugs, or anyone else, block your right to know the truth."

Yesterday's Sowetan's editorial said: "While purporting to be on the side of those who will give their life for a free press, the ANC is actually hellbent on taking the country years back into the dark past of apartheid legislation.

"Their pet projects - the Protection of Information Bill and the vexatious Media Tribunal are - simply ploys to return us to repressive laws of yore."

Screaming headlines

Furthermore, Thursday's screaming headlines such as 'Anger over Journo arrest - reporter's detention seen as part of plot to stifle media' (Sowetan) and 'Onslaught' (The Citizen) clearly demonstrate that the 'war' between the independent media and the ANC-led government over media freedom will be long and painful.

Writing in the Opinion and Analysis page in today's issue of Business Day, University of Cape Town's Prof John Higgins states: "A free press is a central institution in the creation and maintenance of a deliberative democracy, the democratic space in which 'rulers and ruled alike have the opportunity of criticising their principles and demands, no longer in a relation of insubordination, but on terms of equality as citizens".

Censorship and Karl Marx

Higgins' Censorship and Karl Marx article, which is mostly drawn from his study of the German philosopher's works due to be published by Routledge next year, asks this pertinent question: "What might Marx have made of the government's moves to institute the Protection of Information Bill in
South Africa today?"

Other newspapers such as the Daily Dispatch newspaper have also begun directly addressing their readers about the issue. It today launched a campaign on its website that says "Say no before you know nothing at all", while at the same time asking readers to "use their voices as time as we stand up against government plans to silence our democracy".

The Mail & Guardian has also embarked on print ad and web banner campaigns, with editor-in-chief Nic Dawes describing it as "using our own medium to fight our biggest fight since 1994", while Twitter is also abuzz with people's outrage news about the issue (see Bizcommunity's Twitterfall on #ZAmediafreedom.

Join forces in a coalition

SANEF chairman Mondli Makhanya this week urged media organisations, academics, editors, journalists and NGOs to join forces in a coalition to fight what some observers now call the 'war of conscience and ideologies'. "We need a loud campaign and we need one voice," he said, adding that at least R750 000 will be initially needed to fund this campaign (contact SANEF executive director Femida Mehtar +27 (0)11 484 3630/17 or email az.gro.fenas@rotcerid to add your support now).

Meanwhile, DA leader Helen Zille said yesterday it was important all opposition parties worked together to fight the Protection of Information Bill, according to Business Day. (See also The Daily Maverick's Zille: I know what it's like to be a journalist in the government's crosshairs.)

"Our initial energies will focus on stopping the bill being passed at all," Zille said.

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko, however, was quoted as saying yesterday that the state has no intention or plan to muzzle the media in any shape or form.

For more:

• Bizcommunity special section: special focus on media freedom
  
• Bizcommunity Twitterfall: #ZAmediafreedom
  
• Google News Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
  
• Twitter Search: #ZAmediafreedom
  
• Google Blog Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal