DURING a tumultuous week of the global crisis of the relentless surge of the Covid-19 scourge and the pandemonium of the pandemic — the importance and significance of World Press Freedom Day was still commemorated.
And with the political storms blowing over the uneasy crown of our under-siege president:
• chiefly keeping the Covid-19 crisis under control amidst a fast-shrinking rand, resources and budgets;
• and the factional battles at the ANC HQ’s Luthuli House over the step-aside protocol;
• Cyril Ramaphosa found time to salute the nation’s journalists – in the frontline trenches for their resilient role of the media – in highlighting the serial-killer virus – 54 500 deaths – and chronicling of the breaking news from the commission of inquiry into State capture;
World Press Freedom Day turned 30 on 3 May: In 1993, the United Nations proclaimed, pivoted by the UN Scientific, Education and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), proclaimed this media milestone that “acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom … a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics … a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom and remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story’’. In his weekly letter from his mahogany row desk at Mahlamba Ndlopfu (Libertas since 1940), Ramaphosa urged journalists and media houses: “disseminating stories that are inaccurate and false will result in the public losing faith in the institution.’’ Applauding the work of the country’s media and journalists, who, he said, were “playing a pivotal role’’ in uncovering the “true extent’’ of capture of state by ‘’self-serving corrupt individuals and entities’’, and called on SA to “jealously safeguard media freedom’’. The president lamented an increased intimidation of journalists in 2020, quoting the latest report by Reporters Without Border: “A robust media is more critical now than ever as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic.’’ Ramaphosa urged wordsmiths and photographers: “Go beyond the headlines and report stories that contribute to human development, such as gender-based violence, crime and social ills like substance abuse.’’
Durban-based Mary Papayya of the SA National Editors Forum shared with me: “In 2021 journalists are facing increased attacks, including imprisonment, torture, and murder. In South Africa journalists are attacked by criminals, are harassed by cyber bullies online, receive death threats and – women journalists especially – are often targeted by party political supporters.’’ In 1996, SANEF adopted the Windhoek Declaration – lining up with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and called on African states to establish, maintain and foster an independent, pluralistic, and free press to develop democracy, economic development and guarantee freedom of the press and association. Interestingly, the Covid-19 outbreak year’s theme was:
• Journalism without Fear or Favour: Safety of Women and Men Journalists and Media Workers; Independent and professional journalism free from political and commercial influence. Why is press freedom so important to SA? Under apartheid’s police state over 100 censorship laws controlled press curbs, censorship, intimidation, harassment and detention of journalists. On 19 October 1977, a year after the 1976 Soweto Riots rocked apartheid SA to its foundations, persistent press coverage resulted in the government banning newspapers and anti-apartheid organisations in what is celebrated as Black Wednesday – our own Media Freedom Day, since the 1994 democracy.
Then what is the Fourth Estate? British House of Commons MP Edmund Burke coined the term in 1787 — a reference to newspaper reporting or the press gallery in parliamentary politics. The Fourth Estate epitomises the press, print journalism and newspapers — print and electronic media and social media — and as the backbone of free speech and democracy that holds government, legislators and big business accountable and in-check by keeping the taxpaying public fully informed – publishing or broadcasting without fear or favour. Investigative journalism continues to play a major role in uncovering bribery and corruption and human rights violations.
About our award-winning columnist: MARLAN PADAYACHEE – recipient of the Good Friday Accord 2021 Ammen Award for Excellence in Media, dedicated to broadcaster Karima Brown and the fellow 602 journalists – victims of Covid-19 worldwide; linked to the Media Workers Association of SA; SA Union of Journalists; International Federation of Journalists, awarded USA-USIS International Visitor and British Council Fellow and Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio International), served on the board of RK Khan Hospital, and currently with the Southern African Freelancers’ Association (SAFREA), SA National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), and Institute for the Advancement of Journalists; and is heading a media communication strategy, publishing and research consultancy, MapMedia GreenGold Consulting (Pty) Limited, and continues to write columns, leading articles and opinion-editorial commentary for newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, online digital and social media platforms – without fear or favour. Contact Marlan on: marlan.padayachee@gmail.com
DURING a tumultuous week of the global crisis of the relentless surge of the Covid-19 scourge and the pandemonium of the pandemic — the importance and significance of World Press Freedom Day was still commemorated.
And with the political storms blowing over the uneasy crown of our under-siege president:
• chiefly keeping the Covid-19 crisis under control amidst a fast-shrinking rand, resources and budgets;
• and the factional battles at the ANC HQ’s Luthuli House over the step-aside protocol;
• Cyril Ramaphosa found time to salute the nation’s journalists – in the frontline trenches for their resilient role of the media – in highlighting the serial-killer virus – 54 500 deaths – and chronicling of the breaking news from the commission of inquiry into State capture;
World Press Freedom Day turned 30 on 3 May: In 1993, the United Nations proclaimed, pivoted by the UN Scientific, Education and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), proclaimed this media milestone that “acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom … a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics … a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom and remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story’’. In his weekly letter from his mahogany row desk at Mahlamba Ndlopfu (Libertas since 1940), Ramaphosa urged journalists and media houses: “disseminating stories that are inaccurate and false will result in the public losing faith in the institution.’’
Applauding the work of the country’s media and journalists, who, he said, were “playing a pivotal role’’ in uncovering the “true extent’’ of capture of state by ‘’self-serving corrupt individuals and entities’’, and called on SA to “jealously safeguard media freedom’’. The president lamented an increased intimidation of journalists in 2020, quoting the latest report by Reporters Without Border: “A robust media is more critical now than ever as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic.’’ Ramaphosa urged wordsmiths and photographers: “Go beyond the headlines and report stories that contribute to human development, such as gender-based violence, crime and social ills like substance abuse.’’ Durban-based Mary Papayya of the SA National Editors Forum shared with me: “In 2021 journalists are facing increased attacks, including imprisonment, torture, and murder. In South Africa journalists are attacked by criminals, are harassed by cyber bullies online, receive death threats and – women journalists especially – are often targeted by party political supporters.’’ In 1996, SANEF adopted the Windhoek Declaration – lining up with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and called on African states to establish, maintain and foster an independent, pluralistic, and free press to develop democracy, economic development and guarantee freedom of the press and association.
Interestingly, the Covid-19 outbreak year’s theme was: • Journalism without Fear or Favour: Safety of Women and Men Journalists and Media Workers; Independent and professional journalism free from political and commercial influence. Why is press freedom so important to SA? Under apartheid’s police state over 100 censorship laws controlled press curbs, censorship, intimidation, harassment and detention of journalists. On 19 October 1977, a year after the 1976 Soweto Riots rocked apartheid SA to its foundations, persistent press coverage resulted in the government banning newspapers and anti-apartheid organisations in what is celebrated as Black Wednesday – our own Media Freedom Day, since the 1994 democracy.
Then what is the Fourth Estate? British House of Commons MP Edmund Burke coined the term in 1787 — a reference to newspaper reporting or the press gallery in parliamentary politics. The Fourth Estate epitomises the press, print journalism and newspapers — print and electronic media and social media — and as the backbone of free speech and democracy that holds government, legislators and big business accountable and in-check by keeping the taxpaying public fully informed – publishing or broadcasting without fear or favour. Investigative journalism continues to play a major role in uncovering bribery and corruption and human rights violations.
About our award-winning columnist: MARLAN PADAYACHEE – recipient of the Good Friday Accord 2021 Ammen Award for Excellence in Media, dedicated to broadcaster Karima Brown and the fellow 602 journalists – victims of Covid-19 worldwide; linked to the Media Workers Association of SA; SA Union of Journalists; International Federation of Journalists, awarded USA-USIS International Visitor and British Council Fellow and Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio International), served on the board of RK Khan Hospital, and currently with the Southern African Freelancers’ Association (SAFREA), SA National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), and Institute for the Advancement of Journalists; and is heading a media communication strategy, publishing and research consultancy, MapMedia GreenGold Consulting (Pty) Limited, and continues to write columns, leading articles and opinion-editorial commentary for newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, online digital and social media platforms – without fear or favour. Contact Marlan on: marlan.padayachee@gmail.com
