The most talk about topic in 2010 was not the public servants strike which was suppose to hog the fast lane, but
the Media Tribunal.
The ANC led government rightly feels that the media is focusing on what
is wrong instead of building the young democracy (I am not sure for how long
will it remain young) I am personally not against discussing any issue that
will help shape our democracy especially our media. Our media is elitist by its
nature as a result if you start an African language newspaper it is likely to
drawn and die.
The ANC saw this, but instead of finding new ways to improve the
mechanisms that exist they went for the new Animal called “MAT”
What makes this animal scary is that some of the ANC cadres are calling
it a done deal why waste our time fighting it. At Wits University debate on
media tribunal Joe Tlholoe said something very important. He said in 5-10 year
time even ICASA will be useless, so this debate is already “obsolete”.
It is the truth that cannot be disputed that our media is elitist and
focuses on the elite. This has to change some how but cannot be achieved by
putting gun on the media via tribunal. Jackson Mthembu said there would be no
need to amend the Constitution to accommodate the MAT. As a Chapter five
institution MAT somehow will need Constitutional amendment to function well, what
was he thinking?
The media need to stop being defensive and listen out and take what is
useful in the debate and try and implement it trough Ombudsman. Thanks goodness
they are busy doing that. (Apparently the ANC only wished them luck) The ANC
Government must stop using 2 thirds Majority to push down our throats what ever
they think is right for our consumption.
No comments:
Post a Comment