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During the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) budget debate yesterday, the Communications Portfolio’s ANC whip, Ms Stella Ndabeni, called for a Media Tribunal to be placed firmly back on the parliamentary agenda. It appears that Ms Ndabeni believes, like other members of the ANC, that the ANC’s determination to establish a media tribunal renders it a fait accompli.
While addressing the committee, Ms Ndabeni suggested that government control of the media was justified because the media was often “irresponsible.” She also impugned journalists’ integrity, claiming that many in the media acted maliciously and wrote without consideration for the truth.
Ms Ndabeni’s comments are particularly disturbing given the current deliberations about the Protection of Information Bill- which poses an additional threat to not only media freedom, but also the transparency and accountability of our government.
It is deeply concerning that the ANC is intent on even discussing the role of apartheid-style restrictions on press freedom in our constitutional democracy.
Press freedom is a cornerstone of a democratic society. It encourages government accountability, promotes greater civic participation in the decision-making process, and informs a responsive citizenry. Attacks on press freedom directly undermine the basic principles on which our democracy is built- and must be opposed in the strongest terms.