Speech by Minister of Communications, Ms. A.F. Muthambi, MP, on the occasion of the launch of Christian News at Silverstar Casino, Krugersdorp
Dr Allan Bagg of the Allan Bagg Ministries,
Rev. Christine Blumstein, Director of Kenneth Copeland Ministry in Africa,
Mr Charlie Masala, CEO of Myles Munroe Ministry,
Mr Lucky Mbiko, CEO of TBN Africa,
Ms Christine Blumstein, MD KCM Africa,
Myles Munroe Junior,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Programme Director.
Firstly I would like to thank the Christian News Leadership for inviting me to this important event which marks their achievement in establishing such an important newspaper. This event happens just after the Department of Communications and the Government Communication and Information System held a successful colloquium on print media transformation.
As we celebrate our heritages in the month in September, it is important that we embrace our unity in diversity. The media should play a prominent role in educating our communities about our rich cultural legacies. In August Government commemorated the 60th Anniversary of women’s march highlighting the role played by women in the liberation of society, the achievements we have attained in addressing women’s rights and gender equality.
Religious texts and teachings can serve as resources to assist women who have experienced abuse in finding safety and healing.
It is imperative that seasoned journalists understand the incredible diversity of the faiths and the need to adequately research such topics so as to project a balanced approach in the dissemination of objective news coverages. I am hopeful that journalists working for this media house are equipped to report on a range of issues that relates to Christianity.
In this country, some of the Christian missionaries created an indelible mark in the lives of the majority of the citizens through education and health programmes in all Provinces. It is therefore befitting to congratulate them for their sterling work and sacrifices in empowering the African child for service and war against the oppressive regime during the Grand Apartheid era.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since the 17th century, the role of the press as a forum for public discussion and debate has been recognized. Today, despite the mass media’s propensity for sleaze, sensationalism and superficiality, the notion of the media as a watchdog, as guardian of public interest, and as a conduit between governors and the governed, remains deeply ingrained.
To this end, the 1998 White Paper on Broadcasting advocated for a three-tier of broadcast system: public, community and commercial and the enactment of the Media Diversity Act, No.14 of 2002 bears testimony to Government’s effort in ensuring media development, diversity and transformation, which reflects communities of interests.
The Government of the Republic of South Africa continues to weave a network of support for the Community Media through grassroots radio, television and independent newspapers. Furthermore, Government through the Ministry of Communications, has a responsibility to revamp and invest in Community Media. This will ensure preservation, production and supply of relevant content. It has also become a platform to address burning issues affecting the welfare, benefits and employment rights thereby promoting more voices and viewpoints in the media.
As Government, we believe that a diverse and transformed media will ensure a reflection of different views and opinions in languages of citizens’ choices in the body of opinion, thereby promoting social cohesion, nation building, economic growth and inclusion. A knowledgeable and informed society will deepen democracy and active citizenry.
It is in this context that the ANC led Government must adhere to the National Development Plan Vision 2030 which states that “The state provides institutions and infrastructure that enables the economy and society to operate. Its ability to carry out these functions has a profound impact on the lives of all South Africans.”
The reality, however, is that the media in a democracy does not always live up to the ideals. They are hobbled by stringent laws, monopolistic ownership, and sometimes, the threat of brute force and state controls.
The media is sometimes used as proxies in the battle between rival political groups, in the process sowing divisions rather than consensus, hate speech instead of sober debate, and suspicion rather than social trust.
In these cases, the media contributes to public cynicism and democratic decay. In many democracies, the media has been able to assert its role in buttressing and deepening democracy. Investigative reporting has also helped accustom officials to an inquisitive press and helped build a culture of openness and disclosure that has made democratically elected Governments more accountable.
Therefore our considered view is that democracy requires the active participation of its citizens. Ideally, the media should keep citizens engaged in the business of governance by informing, educating and mobilising the public. The media can provide warring groups mechanisms for mediation, representation and voice so that they can settle their differences peacefully. They need the requisite skills for the kind of in-depth reporting that democracy requires.
Unfortunately, the media at times fan the flames of discord by taking sides, reinforcing prejudices, muddling the facts and peddling half-truths. “Peace journalism,” which is being promoted by various societal institutions, endeavours to promote reconciliation through balanced reporting.
Ladies and gentlemen,
South Africa is a secular democracy with freedom of religion. A secular state is a concept of secularism, whereby a state is or purports to be officially neutral in matters religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion. Many religions are represented in the ethnic and regional diversity of the population, with Christianity overall being dominant.
Since the advent of the Democratic Government, the South Africa's Constitution continues to guarantee the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion among other freedoms. In addition, to safeguard the Constitutional obligation, Government established the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission)as Chapter Nine Institution in 2004 to support democracy.
The CRL Rights Commission is mandated "to promote respect for and further the protection of the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities; promote and develop peace, friendship, humanity, tolerance, national unity among and within cultural, religious and linguistic communities on the basis of equality, non-discrimination and free association. Further, CRL Commission is also required to promote the right of communities to develop their historically diminished heritages and to recognize Community Councils.
The global Christian population growth shows an upward trend which requires strategic attention from Governments as policy makers. According to 2011 Pew Research Centre survey, there were 2.18 billion Christians around the world in 2010, three times more than the 600 million figures reflected in 1910.[1]
The 2015 study by the Pew Research Centre showed that by 2050, the Christian population would have risen to an estimated 2.9 billion, surpassing both China and India combined.
Our minimum expectations on Christian Newspaper
Currently, the Christian News is circulated in four Provinces i.e. Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo and Gauteng. I am proud to learn that talks are underway with one of the leading newspaper distributing company in the country to help spread the distribution across all the nine Provinces.
It is encouraging to see that you are now printing fifty thousand copies a month which is an indication that there is fertile market for the Christian message and that you are well received throughout the Republic.
Today, as we launch “The Christian News”, I want to appeal that you give us a platform on any matter that is most important to your community. I want to assure you that you may hold divergent views and it is still your constitutional right, but please give us an opportunity to account and clarify matters. Please do not crucify us without affording us the right of reply to complex topics like religion. Many religious leaders are suspicious of journalists’ attitude towards religion. Some of the journalists handle religious faiths with disdain and inadequacies. The declining advertising revenues have killed “faith and ethical journalistic values in the newsroom .In these tough economic climates, many newspapers are hard squeezed financially and devote fewer newsworthy sections in newspapers.
Ladies and gentlemen
As I conclude, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) argues that addressing poverty requires not just a transfer of economic resources to the needy but also making information available to the poor so that they can participate more meaningfully in political and social life.
After all, the poor cannot assert their rights if they don’t know what these are. If they are unaware of the laws and procedures for availing themselves of their entitlements or the mechanisms, they will forever remain ignorant.
Democracy cannot take root if the poor and powerless are kept out of the public sphere. The argument is that media like Christian News are key in providing critical information to the poor and marginalised.
Ideally, “The Christian News” should provide voice to all citizens regardless of their Cristian beliefs and backgrounds. By giving these groups a voice in your new platform to become part of mainstream public debate will contribute to a social consensus.
In this way, the Christian News would have assisted Government to contribute in promoting reconciliation among divergent social groups’ views.
This Newspaper, “The Christian News, has every opportunity to succeed. Your readership knows no bounds and your intention to go national this year is not misplaced. Dispel the myth that propagates that “Religion is the opium of the masses”. Reach out to the masses.
May the Good Lord continue to bless you!
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Mish Molakeng
Cell: 082 469 3997
