Black Wednesday: Who remembers, who cares?

Writer: This is the good NEWS – Ed

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.

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.

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.

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 with its unquestioning repetition and embellishment by some media practitioners who can’t be bothered to verify the information.

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.

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 6)