The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly objects to government’s plans to use advertising as a means of rewarding publications which offer it favourable reporting. Plans announced to this effect yesterday by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) head and government spokesman, Jimmy Manyi, are clearly aimed at turning the free media into a propaganda outlet for the government. Such a move will not only constitute a gross abuse of power, but will undermine the strength of one of the most crucial democratic institutions- the free media.
The government’s plans to centralise its advertising budget under the GCIS is of concern, as it would afford this unit significant powers to promote or ignore media outlets based on how positively they report on government activities. This will only serve to undermine the independence of the free media, and will infringe on citizens’ right to access information.
Mr Manyi yesterday referred to the “role we want the media to play, that of passing on information of government.” His comments display a complete disregard for the role and function of a strong free media, and underline this administration’s deeply concerning intolerance of criticism.
The free media has been under sustained pressure from government in recent weeks, with deliberations regarding the draconian Protection of Information Bill currently underway, and comments made by the Communications Portfolio Committee’s ANC whip, Ms Stella Ndabeni, that the Media Tribunal proposal be placed firmly back on the parliamentary agenda.
The DA will continue to use all available mechanisms to oppose this administration’s increasingly authoritarian approach to the free flow of information in the strongest terms.