As the South African media fraternity celebrates media freedom and the right to freedom of expression and access information, North West Premier Thandi Modise has commended South African journalists for the highest standard of professionalism.
“Journalists are like backroom boys who rarely receive credit for the good work that they do. By and large, South African journalists have consistently demonstrated highest level of professionalism in the manner in which they do their job and this is indicative of the enabling environment for free and independent media that the post-apartheid South Africa has provided.
Premier Modise said it was gratifying to see that the media in South Africa was beginning to reflect and cater for the demographics of the country although much improvement was still needed especially with regard to the indigenous language media.
“We are very happy that South Africa is one of the countries that continue to safeguard media freedom because we value the contribution of a free and independent media in holding government and other institutions of power accountable.
“We are proud to see the range of community media in different languages together with the range of voices that these media platforms orchestrate to permeate the public sphere,” said Premier Modise.
Modise said indigenous communities across the world share a history of oppression and exclusion, adding that the media remain one of the key institutions that can help to ensure that the rights of these communities are protected instead of being pushed beyond the margins.
The media day is celebrated in South Africa as part of the remembrance of what has been popularly referred to as "Black Wednesday," which occurred on October 19, 1977 when the apartheid government banned three newspapers and detained their editors under the Internal Security Act (of 1950).
Premier Modise, who herself suffered under unjust apartheid laws through unlawful imprisonment and police harassment, says South African journalists are now able to sleep knowing that their rights are protected under the Constitution that has been hailed as one of the best in the world.
“We count on the media to help us educate our people about their rights and concomitant responsibilities which include all fundamental rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. We count on the media to educate our youth to participate in the democratic process and excise their rights to register and vote so that they can decide on the government of their choice. We are very proud that we have achieved the ideal of a free and fair society in the past 19 years. This is what democracy is about,” reiterated Modise.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, spokesperson
Tel : 018 388 3705
Cell : 083 629 1987
Fax :018 388 3157
E-mail : LKgwele@gmail.com
