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23 October 2019
www.thevillagenews.co.za
FROM THE EDITOR Black Wednesday: Who remembers, who cares? On Wednesday 19 October 1977, just over a month after the death in detention of Black Consciousness leader, Steve Biko, Apartheid’s notorious Minister of Justice, Jimmy Kruger, struck a mighty blow against media freedom in South Africa. In one fell swoop he not only banned 19 Black Consciousnessassociated organisations, but also the publications, The World, The Weekend World and the church publication, ProVeritate, arresting and banning a number of editors, together with prominent black journalists like Mathatha Tsedu, Don Mattera and Joe Thloloe. That day 42 years ago, which became known as Black Wednesday, was again commemorated this past weekend. It was a time when photographs of banned persons could not be published and neither could
they be quoted; when newspapers were often printed with sections blacked or whited out. Other progressive titles – The Rand Daily Mail, South, Vrye Weekblad – became casualties and the government’s grip on the Public Broadcaster, always strong, became a stranglehold. Well, one might say, that was prior to the current democratic dispensation: is there any point in continuing to mark Black Wednesday? Sadly, yes. Although freedom of expression and the media are entrenched in the South African constitution and an effective press code is implemented, there is still constant political and economic contestation to gain control over the media for various nefarious purposes.
There have been countless attempts either to muzzle it or to compromise its independence. The juniorisation and dumbing down of newsrooms as well as state capture have also played their parts. As a prime example, one needs look no further than the SABC where Hlaudi Motsoaneng completed the demolition job started by the previous regime.
with its unquestioning repetition and embellishment by some media practitioners who can’t be bothered to verify the information.
Even more worrying have been growing threats of violence from certain influential politicians towards journalists, especially females, who have been instrumental in exposing much of the hard-core corruption currently being aired in the Zondo and other commissions.
Let us use our discretion and double-check the facts before reposting every tweet or facebook comment we see. Malicious and manipulative rumour-mongering can destroy the lives of individuals and entire communities.
However, the greatest threat to accurate and responsible journalism today must surely be the rampant spread of misinformation or fake news via social media, together
Media consumers need to remain constantly vigilant. The message may sound true, or you might want it to be true, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is true.
For its part, The Village NEWS once again commits itself to transparent, independent and responsible journalism in service of this community. This is the good NEWS – Ed
LET’S TALK Protect animals from rat poison For the past four years we have had a Cape spotted eagle owl nest on the ground in front of our house, in a lovely spot at the base of a gum tree with a small aloe in front for protection. I have been watching her for 5 – 6 weeks, and Daddy Owl was always in one of the trees keeping an eye on her. Last week I went out and Mommy Owl was gone. There were two little fluff balls – one I thought was dead but the other was moving, so I presume it was alive, but with Daddy in the tree watching I was not going to go too close.
George Kerling, who lives in Kidbrooke, had his photo taken at Onrus beach with these two rocks which look uncannily like miniature ‘elephants’!
The next morning there were two lit-
tle dead chicks, and the following day when I went looking for Mommy Owl, I found her dead, not far away. Daddy Owl was still keeping watch, having changed his position to enable him to watch both the nest and his mate. When I took her body to the Hermanus Animal Hospital, the verdict was that it was more than likely poison, and they disposed of the body in the right way. My plea to everyone is to not use rat poison. Poor Daddy Owl must have fed her a rat that had been poisoned… so sad. Sue Holmes , Fernkloof Estate
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