_*Contact:*_
*Mthubanzi Mniki*
*Mandela Bay Media Association Secretary General*
*084 364 4693*
**
*Mandela Bay Media Association*
/*Press Statement*/
*Suspension of Mandela Bay Media Association President by Avusa Media*
The arbitrary and flagrant undermining by certain media houses that
claim to be standing for media freedom while refusing to transform has
seen one of The Herald senior journalists, *Mawande Jack* (Labour and
Political Correspondent) suspended on Monday (August 2 of 2010).
Jack was suspended after being at the forefront of initiating a process
for the establishment of a journalist trade union, the Communication
Workers Union (CWU) within Avusa Port Elizabeth office.
CWU is an affiliate of Cosatu.
Jack has long been targeted after he initiated the establishment of the
Mandela Bay Media Association (MBMA), of which is current president.
MBMA is a vehicle of journalists in the Mandela Bay Metropolitan (Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality) area that has been at the forefront in defence
of the freedom of expression.
The MBMA has also stood for the rights of journalists and calling for
the transformation of the media and newsrooms.
As the MBMA we believe that Jack is being dealt with for having been in
the talks for a campaign to defend media worker's rights in Avusa.
Jack has as the president of the MBMA strongly condemned the banning of
Trade Union Activities within Avusa.
The Media Association condemns this dastardly act by Avusa as a clear
demonstration that there are indeed sections within the media who
undermine freedom of expression and the constitution of the country
there of.
They have long declared Mawande as "too left" and had at all times
marginalised him to silence the democratic voice within The Herald. The
MBMA finds this as extremely deplorable to say the least.
Journalists, media practitioners and the society at large must stand up
and speak out against these reactionary high-handed tactics to silence
progressive, independent and critical journalists. These forces
undermine the gains that so many patriotic South African ordinary people
fought and die for.
*Mthubanzi Mniki*
*
Mandela Bay Media Association Secretary General*
*
084 364 4693*
*
*
--
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] .
