When Is Information Misinformation? by Zama Zincume
Currently in the country we are having a serious debate and protests regarding the Information bill, dubbed the Secrecy bill. The contestation revolves around the issue of public interest.
It’s a fact that corruption is rampant in the country through tenders and other means of enrichment by the politicians and the elitist. However, there’s another angle raised by one listener in SABC’s SAFM radio. “Why are journalists most concerned about the ruling part and their shenanigans whilst leaving the corrupt CEOs and other sectors of society who are ruling by remote control as far as economic freedom is concerned.
The city press newspaper reported the concerns of journalists and its umbrella body SANEF. Here is an except of what they’ve been saying:
“”We, the editors of the aforementioned South African newspapers, appeal to ANC MPs who will vote today to put the future of your country ahead of your own future in the party and reject this appalling bill.” If not enough MPs did “the right thing”, the editors urged that the Cabinet redraft the bill with a public interest defence clause as it went through its next step, the National Council of Provinces. They also asked Zuma to exercise his right to submit the bill to the Constitutional Court for ratification before signing it into law. “If none of these things happen, it will be up to civil society and the political opposition to ask that court to declare it the abomination it is.” The statement was signed by the Times, Business Day, The Herald, Sowetan, Daily Dispatch, Die Burger, Cape Times, Beeld, The Star, The Mercury, Pretoria News, The Witness, Volksblad, Die Son and Daily Sun.
As you can see the issue is on “public interest clause”. What public are we talking about here? Yes, every South African want to live in a democratic society with freedom of speech, not for a particular cause but for the general public.
No country will be respected if it muzzles journalists or anybody to give out information. However, freedom of speech and spreading of information should not be misinformation…spreading the gospel of another agenda in order to frustrate the government of the day.
I don’t think thre’s any person who wabnts to go back to the apartheid era, likewise no one wants to lose out from the economic freedom that is presently in the hands of the minority.
What are the “protectors of information” doing about this? Are they writing in their newspapers about the cause of the majority of poor people who were made to be so by intent? Where’s the information about the corrupt companies and farmers who are inflating prices for their farms and in turn products to put government on its knees?
Yes, South Africans need information. Marketing information that will liberate the truth for the advancement of all is indeed what we all pray for and we’ll die for!
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