Speech presented by the MEC for Finance Maureen Modiselle at the Media Open Day, Hotel School

The Superintendent-General of the Department of Finance in the North West province,
Senior staff members of the Department of Finance,
Representatives of the various media houses,
Communicators from government departments and municipalities,
Staff members of the Department of Finance,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,
Mr Programme Director

We thank you for having made yourselves available to participate in this important event, the first Media Open Day of the Department of Finance. We are also pleased to convey our sincerest congratulations to all the organisers of this important event which seeks to strengthen the ties between the Department of Finance and the Media.

I am reminded of an article I read way back in 1996, in the supplement of the Cape Times; the distinguished editor of that paper at the time was Moegsien Williams and he wrote: "A typical South African newsroom is an unhappy place staffed by de-motivated, mainly junior reporters and frustrated sub-editors who are expected to cover and produce newspapers able to reflect accurately an increasingly complex society."

Further on he said: "We want to redefine the news. We sense it cannot be journalism; as usual in the new South Africa. In practical terms, redefining the news means getting closer to the readership by engagement, new contacts, new story ideas and a move away from stereotypes."

What a courageous and honest manner the editor set his vision for the Cape Times then and when in addition to what I have already cited, he went on to say: "While we will expose society's ills and wrongs, we will be its cheer-leaders when things go right and there are successes. While we will be opposed to many things, we will be able for the first time, to be passionately and uncompromisingly in favour of some things, especially our new democracy."

This was said almost ten years ago. I believe that this is therefore an occasion on which we must recall the sacrifices made by all media men and women in general and journalists in particular, as well as the broad democratic movement in the struggle to achieve press freedom and freedom of expression.

We are sure that journalists and communicators will play an important role in our national life with regard to matters that concern the press and the wider issue of transformation in the North West province.

Such matters will include matters such as press freedom, role of the media and all communicators, the quality of journalism, media ownership and media diversity. The historic changes in this country since 1994 are premised on two national objectives: transformation of our communities for a better life and the improvement of quality of life for all. Given the type of society we come from, the socio-economic transformation of various communities and the improvement of the quality of life are, of necessity, two sides of the same continuum emancipation of the people of South Africa and North West province from the claws of poverty.

To succeed in this venture, we need to be reminded of the national agenda. This includes not only poverty alleviation and the improvement of the quality of life. It entails also, as an integral part of nation building, the fundamental transformation of our society. Indeed, the most pertinent question which can be posed at this year's Media Open Day of the Department of Finance is: 'What role should this play in the on-going socio-economic transformation, service delivery improvement in our communities and the current phase of our democratic transformation?

What is certain is that today's event occupies that social space which can be found between government and the media as well as our attempts to improve service delivery in the North West province and how to promote the ideals of the Provincial Government.

Today's event must therefore initiate independent action with the aim of promoting the well-being of society as a whole, civil society - the space which is rightly referred to as 'civil society'.

Put in a broader sense, the real question is: what should be the place and role of professional organs such as the mass media of civil society vis-à-vis the task of consolidating democracy as well as transforming communities in our province?

A well-organised, integrated and vibrant civil society is one of the pre-conditions for the success of the struggle for the broadening and deepening of political, social and economic democratisation of every corner of our society. Clearly, the establishment of democratic institutions of Government and State is not enough, not only expending democracy, but also in ensuring efficient service delivery machinery to all our people. Organs of civil society and the mass media is one; we have got a role to play in this regard. The answer to these questions, however, must derive from a correct understanding and appreciation of the main characteristics of the current phase of democratisation and transformation.

For example, given the daunting task of emancipating our people, we believe that it is inadequate to perceive of the role of the media and communicators simply as to keep in check the power of government, or to hold the leadership accountable. Surely, that is only one part of this role.

Forums like the media, print and electronic, ought to be asking themselves what their contributions are in taking the constitution for example to the greater number of our people in the languages best understood by the people.

Both the mass media, print and electronic and Government Communicators, have a critical role to play in this regard. You have a responsibility to continue to engage the question of what we, as a province or country, should do to promote the aspirations of those who have been marginalised as a result of apartheid.

And so, I come back to the Cape Times editor of 1996, Moegsien Williams. What we want to achieve cannot be achieved without the media publishing according to the dictum with which he ended his article then: "Serve your readers and practise independent journalism."

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Finance, North West Provincial Government
31 May 2007