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Gagged!

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:24

So here we are, living in a country where the right of access to information has been right royally clamped by the government and where it’s been necessary (again) to take to the streets and protest against a pathetic public broadcaster.

Last Tuesday the ruling ANC party-strong National Assembly passed the Protection of State Information Bill (aka Secrecy Bill) despite months of vehement and nationwide opposition from civil society, the public and political parties. Once the Bill is made law anyone whistle blowing on state secrets or being in possession of classified information will automatically land up in jail for a long time. Apparently the terms ‘in the public interest’ and ‘the public’s right to know’ means nothing to the ANC, even though the majority of the public voted it into power. During apartheid the ANC fought so hard for freedom and democracy and now it seems to be fighting so hard to end it.

Not surprisingly this dark day in South Africa’s history has been termed ‘Black Tuesday’ as many opposing the bill wore black in protest as the Bill was put to the vote. Way back in October 1977 there was a ‘Black Wednesday’ when the former apartheid government banned several newspapers and many people associated with the black consciousness movement. What will be the next step in the erosion of the country’s democracy I wonder? Will the Constitutional Court be declared null and void? Will we all be forced to vote only for the ANC in future elections?

As to the industry protest action against public broadcaster SABC last Thursday – this is the second such incident to have taken place within two years. Isn’t it shocking that a commission-starved television production industry should be forced to resort to such means? But years-long frustration with the SABC’s chaotic state and sheer desperation leads to extreme measures. If only there can be some tangible results from this, because nothing much came of the last protest action in 2009. Clearly the SABC needs to be rebuilt from scratch, with hard-working, honest people who know the business of broadcasting at the helm.

The popular festive season song goes: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”. Well, I’m dreaming of a properly functioning public broadcaster and of a Secrecy Bill-free country.

Joanna Sterkowicz



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