3 minute read
Freedom of Media
In his letter to the nation on 8 May, His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa focused on the topic of the correlation between a thriving democracy and freedom of the media. He referenced the latest World Press Freedom Index, in which South Africa significantly improved its ranking, moving up ten places from 35th in the world in 2022 to 25th this year.
The World Press Freedom Index is compiled annually by the organisation Reporters Without Borders and looks at the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories, taking into account the environment in which media workers operate vis-a-vis political conditions, legal frameworks, safety and economic and socio-cultural context.
Reporters Without Borders defines press freedom as “the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal and social interference, and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.”
“As a relatively new democracy compared to those with more entrenched traditions of constitutionalism, we should be proud of our promotion of a free and independent media.
“According to the survey, South Africa’s media landscape is ‘sturdy, diverse and dynamic’ at a time when journalism has become an increasingly hazardous occupation in several other parts of the world.
“Media freedom is a pillar of our democratic order. Our journalists continue to be the standardbearers for accountability and the empowerment of citizens. Media investigations have shone a spotlight on corruption, the abuse of vulnerable people, the targeting of whistle-blowers, and all manner of wrongdoing within the state, the private sector, academia and other sectors,” –President Ramaphosa
His Excellency said that whilst in South Africa, journalists are free to work without censorship, harassment or judicial sanction the media industry is faced with a number of challenges - facing technological change, shifting media consumption behaviour and the after-effects of the COVID epidemic. Nevertheless, he encouraged the media to encourage citizens to vote in the elections next year.
“Media freedom, like so many of the rights contained in our Constitution, is hard won. It thrives in an environment where the media itself exercises due caution to be credible, accurate, fair and truthful always.
“In the end, the state of our media is not defined by its ranking on an index, but by how it contributes to building a vibrant democracy with an informed, empowered and active citizenry,” – H.E. Ramaphosa
