Hi to all, I am sorry that I did not follow the debate around the media? it is a fact that the media shape public opinion. This public opinion is largely shaped by the large conglomerates that owe the media houses and therefore the objective is capital inclined informed by wealth creation. What sells in the media is sensation, which is most often devoid of the truth. This is exacerbated by the fact media is having neo-liberal spin to it. I might not necessarily agree to current capital system, but our constitution allows for press freedom however with some checks and balances. Institutions established to provide oversight such as the press ombudsman must be held accountable. The press freedom is allowing for a miscarriage of freedom of speech and here I would like to refer to the language used by parties during campaigning such as the DA's "STOP ZUMA" campaign. I personally think this is the result of having a liberal constitution.
Regards jeff >>> "Sibusiso Mimi" <[email protected]> 2009/05/04 10:46 AM >>> The ANC commends press freedom. It is the responsibility of the press to report the truth but what we*ve seen in SA is the opposite, where journalist reports outright lies and embark on campaigns to discredit people. That can*t be right. The alternative is having an objective media sector that can report with their dignity intact. A perfect example, is the State vs Shaik judgment *the generally corrupt relationship between Zuma and Shaik* statement which the press attributed to judge Squires. This was a lie but it was repeated so many times that the public believed it. The worst part is that even the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) attributed the phrase to Squires in its judgment upholding Shaik*s corruption and fraud convictions* the judges here probably never read the Squires judgment or they were influenced by what they read. Freedom of the press MUST be allowed but not in the expense of human rights... On 5/3/09, Maureen Dosoudil <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hello all, > Had to finish two assignments and with the elections I was under serious > time pressure, now have a quick gap before I start studying for exams. > > I am asking one simple question: if you do not allow freedom of the press > what is the alternative? What is your own solution? Can somebody please give > me an answer. > > I do agree that the press upheld the system of apartheid and that is > exactly my reason for supporting a free press - under apartheid (and under > any form of totalitarian government), the government controlled the press > and through this control there was no opposition to what was printed in the > press. There was LITTLE FREE PRESS in the apartheid years and therefore the > SA population was mislead if they believed what they read in the news > paper. I would prefer to be able to read opposing views and then make my > own decision - I do not want other people telling me how and what to think. > This is only possible if there is freedom of the press. > > During apartheid the English press was seen by the government as being > anti-government because the English press exposed government activities. In > many instances journalists were jailed and in extreme cases they were > eventually forced to leave SA to avoid being jailed. If there had been > freedom of the press then we would have had more information of the > atrocities committed by government, this would of course meant that more > white South Africans would have taken a different view point of what was > happening. > > Because the government saw the English press as antagonistic the > Nationalist Party formed the Department of Information and printed their own > news paper called The Citizen in an attempt to provide positive government > news to English speaking readers. So, if the current government thinks the > press is antagonistic, it can always produce its own news paper. > > A lie told many times becomes a truth, so, if you are continually told that > the press always lies, then you will belive the press lies - if you are > told the press always tells the truth then you will believe the press tells > the truth. Why don't we all think for ourselves and not always rely on > others to dictate to us about how and what we should think. > ** > ** > *-------Original Message-------* > > *From:* Bongani Masuku <[email protected]> > *Date:* 2009/04/08 08:44:14 AM > *To:* Maureen Dosoudil <[email protected]>; yclsa-eom-forum<[email protected]>; > [email protected]; Colin Eglin Ngakane Mokoena <[email protected]>; > Khulu Radebe <[email protected]>; Jeff Rademeyer <[email protected]>; > Dali Ramncwana <[email protected]>; Rapula Monkwe <[email protected]>; M T > Ronyuza <[email protected]>; t.mpondo <[email protected]>; thulani > kunene <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Pat Ntsobi <[email protected]>; Puseletso > Mokone-skhosana <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Andries Mapetla <[email protected]>; alinam<[email protected]>; > Solly Mapaila <[email protected]>; Dr Mako <[email protected]>; Diteko > Moreotsenye <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; vuyo mhlakaza <[email protected]>; > [email protected]; bakos <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Ntombomz > i Mjajubana <[email protected]>; mzukisi ronyuza <[email protected]>; > [email protected] > *Subject:* RE: WHAT IDI AMIN DID TO JOURNALISTS. > > > You are unfortunately not responding to the question that the free press > you are referring to is that you parrot the views of those who pay you, the > views of the rich, tell lies about Iraq, because the US MUST MURDER FOR > PROFIT AND YOUR OWN MASTER*S NARROW INTERESTS!!! Shame on the agents of > capitalist propaganda masquerading as a journalist. Your main duty is to > convince the poor that it is in their own interest and that of society as a > whole that they remain poor, because only then can social stability be > guaranteed. > > It was the media that was supporting apartheid and today, its parading > itself as some saviour of the masses. Refer to the TRC reports on the role > of the media and some of these newly found *free-press* parroters. In the > name of free media, they seek to annihilate the liberation movement, > revolutionary forces and even more so, communism from the surface of the > earth in the true rooi-gevaar style. Even though ZANU in Zimbabwe, made > serious mistakes and fell for their trap, but it is true that they seek to > use that situation to literally defeat the liberation movement in the whole > region. Look what happened to the PAIGC in Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, > UNIP in Zambia, etc. Throughout Latin America history is telling, the latest > being the Sandinistas in Nicaragua led by Daniel Ortega and how Imperialism > sought to destroy them in the name of US free press, etc. > > A lie told many time becomes the truth, so is the media belief in hoping to > hold society ransom!! > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Maureen Dosoudil [mailto:[email protected]] > *Sent:* Wednesday, April 08, 2009 5:18 AM > *To:* yclsa-eom-forum; [email protected]; Colin Eglin Ngakane Mokoena; > Khulu Radebe; Jeff Rademeyer; Dali Ramncwana; Rapula Monkwe; M T Ronyuza; > t.mpondo; thulani kunene; [email protected]; [email protected]; > Pat Ntsobi; Puseletso Mokone-skhosana; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Andries Mapetla; alinam; Solly Mapaila; Dr Mako; > Diteko Moreotsenye; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; vuyo mhlakaza; [email protected]; bakos; > [email protected]; Ntombomz i Mjajubana; mzukisi ronyuza; Bongani > Masuku > *Subject:* RE: WHAT IDI AMIN DID TO JOURNALISTS. > > > > Try a communist/fascist society where all media is owned by the State and > the citizens get indoctrinated into "group thinking" and hear/read only what > the government want you to hear/read (similar to the apartheid media). > Citizens are exposed to only one line of thought and are unable to think for > themselves. The State or a wealthy political party (for example instead of > spending millions on birthday parties, free meals and expensive hotels, > consultants and workshops) can at any time produce media material to counter > act the views of the free press. *It is the principle of freedom of > expression and freedom of the press that must be protected.* > > You must never forget that where there is no freedom of expression the > government simply steps in and shoots protesters - there is no toyi-toyi in > a society without freedom of expression and then there is no free press to > report the authoritarian and suppressive behaviour of government I.e. > Tianaman Square amongst others. > > Thank goodness the ANC introduced free press, no longer can the police > shoot innocent protesters, no longer can the police arrest without detention > etc etc these sort of things are immediately reported by the press which was > not the case in the apartheid regime - never forget that without freedom of > the press you are lft with suppression of information. > > What is your alternative to a free press and freedom of expression - how > would you propose an alternative to the media so that citizens are informed > of current events? > > Never forget it is the capitalist countries who send millions $ of > financial aid and other resources such as doctors and medicines to the poor > countries (despite their anti-poor values) - or do you suggest that they > should not do this? What is the alternative? > > We all know the problems but what are the solutions and have these > solutions been tried and tested before. At the end of the day it is about > creating a peaceful environment in which all citizens of the world can live > in peace and harmony whilst sharing in the riches of their own nation - the > problem is when the State cannot provide that environment and only members > of the inner circle enjoy the riches of the country (Zimbabwe) no matter > whether it is capitalist or otherwise (the former USSR). > > What do you have to say about the awful things the international press has > to say about George Bush, about how they print photos of UK MPs in > compromising situations, expose them for spending money on porn videos etc > etc forcing them to resign - or is that also wrong? > > This has nothing to do with Zuma (who was lucky enough to receive millions > of Rand from the poorest of poor to finance his legal battle which privilege > is not given to the poorest of poor when a starving man steals a bag of > bones to feed his family) it isn't about the individual it is about the > rights of the whole population, including yours, to be able to enjoy freedom > of expression. > > > > Regards > > Maureen > > > > *-------Original Message-------* > > > > *From:* Bongani Masuku <[email protected]> > > *Date:* 2009/04/07 04:54:51 PM > > *To:* Maureen Dosoudil <[email protected]>; yclsa-eom-forum<[email protected]>; > [email protected]; Colin Eglin Ngakane Mokoena <[email protected]>; > Khulu Radebe <[email protected]>; Jeff Rademeyer <[email protected]>; > Dali Ramncwana <[email protected]>; Rapula Monkwe <[email protected]>; M T > Ronyuza <[email protected]>; t.mpondo <[email protected]>; thulani > kunene <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Pat Ntsobi <[email protected]>; Puseletso > Mokone-skhosana <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Andries Mapetla <[email protected]>; alinam<[email protected]>; > Solly Mapaila <[email protected]>; Dr Mako <[email protected]>; Diteko > Moreotsenye <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; vuyo mhlakaza <[email protected]>; > [email protected]; bakos <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Ntombomzi > Mjajubana <[email protected]>; mzukisi ronyuza <[email protected]> > > *Subject:* RE: WHAT IDI AMIN DID TO JOURNALISTS. > > > > In a capitalist society like ours, the media are nothing but the running > dogs of crony capital, parroting the most reactionary views that seeks to > protect capitalism and anti-poor values. In the name of democracy, they feed > the whole society with the most rightwing views. By freedom of association > in such a society is meant the right of those who have money to pay their > writing mercenaries, so-called journalists. It is not meant the freedom of > poor people to speak against and confront the evils of capitalism, to expose > the lies behind the system and freely propose an alternative system. > > Who determines what should be the main point of discussion in society. We > are forced to discuss about some old pity-seeking fellow called the Dalai > Lama, while none want us to discuss the 5.2 million Congolese who died in > Congo merely for multinational companies to steal the cobalt, coltax and all > the rich minerals of that country, none want us to discuss the real reasons > why Somalians are still dying like flies. None of these so-called free > journalists ask the relevant questions about why call North Korea to halt > arms race, but allow Israel to accumulate warheads with the open supply from > the US. > > Coming back home, the media only remembers freedom of expression when it > must persecute JZ, but does not do so when we must be told what happened to > Waulter Basson and all those who killed like him. Where was the so-called > free media when he was freed, where was it when the settlements were made > with the various agents of the former apartheid order who made arrangements > with the NPA to be set free. > > This is the media freedom we hear trumpets about, shame! > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Maureen Dosoudil [mailto:[email protected]] > *Sent:* Tuesday, April 07, 2009 3:44 PM > *To:* yclsa-eom-forum; [email protected]; Colin Eglin Ngakane Mokoena; > Khulu Radebe; Jeff Rademeyer; Dali Ramncwana; Rapula Monkwe; M T Ronyuza; > t.mpondo; thulani kunene; [email protected]; [email protected]; > Pat Ntsobi; Puseletso Mokone-skhosana; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Andries Mapetla; alinam; Solly Mapaila; Dr Mako; > Diteko Moreotsenye; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; vuyo mhlakaza; [email protected]; Bongani > Masuku; bakos; nomsh...@l esedilm.co.za; Ntombomzi Mjajubana; mzukisi > ronyuza > *Subject:* Re: WHAT IDI AMIN DID TO JOURNALISTS. > > > > But then Idi Amin was an authoritarian dictator who did not allow freedom > of expression and did not tolerate criticism - the founding principles of > democracy and essentials of the Freedom Charter. > > Idi Amin also spent too much time worrying about what journalists said > about him and not enough time addressing issues of poverty and hardship > amongst the poorest of the poor - but then who really cares what happens to > the poorest of the poor as long as they vote the ruling party into power so > that we can keep our comfortable jobs and flashy cars? > > This continual beating of the press reminds me of the "hated apartheid > regime" who also curtailed freedom of expression and censored journalists - > this is one of reasons why the previous regime was able to stay in power for > so long - information, debate and criticism in a free press did not exist > under apartheid, the people were not informed and debate not encouraged > because nobody was asking questions. > > One of the things that the old ANC did bring to our new democracy was > freedom of the press but now it seems that the new ANC has forgotten where > it comes from and why - this is how Zimbabwe began - slow, insidious > break down of democratic values. > > You do not have to agree with what you read but you have to defend the > right of freedom of the press and freedom of expression - you should read > Time magazine and see what was written about George Bush but not once did he > attack journalists for what they wrote. > > This photo is a sad testament to the suppression of freedom of expression. > > Regards > > Maureen > > > > *-------Original Message-------* > > > > *From:* Mzukisi Ronyuza <[email protected]> > > *Date:* 2009/04/06 09:14:12 AM > > *To:* yclsa-eom-forum <[email protected]>; > [email protected]; Colin Eglin Ngakane Mokoena <[email protected]>; > Khulu Radebe <[email protected]>; Jeff Rademeyer <[email protected]>; > Dali Ramncwana <[email protected]>; Rapula Monkwe <[email protected]>; M T > Ronyuza <[email protected]>; t.mpondo <[email protected]>; thulani > kunene <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Pat Ntsobi <[email protected]>; Puseletso > Mokone-skhosana <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; Andries Mapetla <[email protected]>; alinam<[email protected]>; > Solly Mapaila <[email protected]>; Dr Mako <[email protected]>; Maureen > Dosoudil <[email protected]>; Diteko Moreotsenye <[email protected]>; > [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]<[email protected]>; > vuyo mhlakaza <[email protected]>; [email protected]; > [email protected]; bakos <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Ntombomzi > Mjajubana <[email protected]> > > *Subject:* WHAT IDI AMIN DID TO JOURNALISTS. > > > > > > Idi Amin did not what like what the journalist wrote about him which is > why at some stage he rounded them up and made them kneel in front of him and > make a pledge never to write what they wrote about him. *I HOPE JONATHAN > SHAPIRO (ZAPIRO), THE ZIONIST, WAS PART OF THEM. (See the attachment)* > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- Sibusiso Mimi Mobile: +27(0) 760211216 Fax: 0866595781 "In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift * a more human face". Bantu Biko, I write what I like, 1978 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
