Politically Ignorant

Politically Ignorant
© All Rights Reserved

Surrounded by books, but feeling really ignorant... What's up with the ANC's attempted media tribunal and the Protection of Information Bill that the governements trying to pass, not sure what to make of this. Can our past liberation party really be trying to use the same tactics the Apartheid governement once did? Where are their morals dammit!

"Given the volatility of South Africa, it is entirely possible that the Minister could easily invoke these powers to maintain secrecy where controversial situations exist. One forms the distinct impression that the Ministry, while prepared to unveil past wrongs, is armouring itself against the unveiling of misdemeanours of the present Government.

Perhaps the most insidious provision in the Bill is section 23(6). This permits the head of an organ of state to refuse to confirm or deny that information exists where the existence of such information is itself classified as top secret. By its very nature this section is unconstitutional, seeking as it does to avoid transparency and openness, and placing an inordinate burden on journalists and legal practitioners seeking clarity on classified documents. It is virtually impossible to draft proper papers for a status review when the existence of the information cannot be verified.

All of this smacks of an attempt to eliminate genuine criticism and to entrench the powers of the executive. This in turn does not serve a purpose but instead simply fuels an extension of the executive’s power and makes the judiciary its handmaiden."

Taken from: FXI makes submissions to Parliament on the Protection of Information Bill

http://www.fxi.org.za/content/view/217/36/

12h15 Thursday
29, July
2010
  • love 03
  • switch zoom in/out
 
cape town library chimurenga exhibition 2009, politics, governance, access to information
  • FE45,X40
    2009
  • +
  1. Inviting PREV
  2. Untitled NEXT
15 Comments
 
  1. lebogang nkoane

    That bill should not pass.

    #wethepeople

  2. Uno

    We put the gangsters in power, it's not "what's up with the ANC?", it's what's up with us?
    The ignorance comes from our innability to come together and say no! We don't want a government of greedy, corrupt, unprofessional, incompetent and arrogant people that have been trying to bactrack all the positive steps take since 1994.
    They first destroyed the Scorpions, now they are trying to stop the media or any concerned citizen from finding their wrong doings and we're doing nothing...

  3. barnardinho

    So, the question is: what are going to do about it? We could discuss this issue in forums such as this, or take it out onto the streets.

    Can't really say I know the answer, but do know that the longer we keep quiet the more complacent the ruling party gets - and therefore will assume it has everyone's backing, which I'm sure they don't

  4. Buchu

    How do we stop the bill?

  5. onelove

    I feel like this will turn into a rant and then just be forgotten. I imagine that if we really do care about all this (and more generally a sort of active involvement in the world around us) it requires time and personal commitment, probably also joining a group and being a bit more organised (Lebogang I really take my hat off to you for your commitment and time in developing this forum). I feel like its every women/man/family for themselves at the moment, and I'm also stuck in this, life just sucks you (me) into the everyday. Is this true? Or is it just my experience?
    (those were just my 2 cents)

    I'm not sure how we stop the bill, I imagine the first step would be to really understand the process of how Bills get passed...and maybe then to draw attention to the govs intentions so that more people understand what they're trying to do.

  6. lebogang nkoane

    I agree: we need to get organised.

    To answer your question on where the bill is at: http://www.parliament.gov.za/live/content.php?Item_ID=216&DocumentNumber=84004

    It is currently at the first stage: Bills in the National Assembly. There are four stages, with the final stage the president signs or rejects it.

    There is ways to participate and engage the parliament: http://www.parliament.gov.za/live/content.php?Category_ID=6

    I found out last week that there were public submissions to parliament, not sure on which dates and I am still sourcing out information on where, when and how can I engage it.

  7. Uno

    To start with there are two things to do:

    1. On the next elections if you are upset about the way the ruling party is governing, vote for an opposition party, it will balance power a bit more and make it more difficult for bills like these to get passed.

    2. Discuss the bill and other issues with family, friends, coleagues, create awareness (many people don't understand the implications, they think it won't affect them, history is full of scary examples).

    This is the minimum each one of us can do.

  8. lebogang nkoane

    I agree, to some extent.

    I think, we need to enforce change on the actually political parties (be it opposition or not): their agenda, their objectives (whichever political party you vote for) should not counter what #wethepeople want/need*

    Waiting till then is like that phrase: prevention before cure. For example, to my knowledge, I haven't heard a single outright objection by any opposition party, yet, not even the DA (emphasis on them based on their numbers, 2nd biggest party, no?).

    Secondly, I think we all NEED to discuss this bill with everyone, but then we need to go further: discuss it with our political representatives (if such a thing exists in South/Africa) and then SUBMIT a written/verbal objection to Parliament as individual citizens AND as a collective.

  9. lebogang nkoane

    Well, DA/HZ has spoke against it too: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-08-02-da-takes-aim-media-tribunal-info-bill

  10. lebogang nkoane

    Print Media SA's response: http://www.printmedia.org.za/press/2010/08/03/145

  11. onelove

    Have you guys heard about the journalist arrested yesterday?See: 'Media Freedom Under the Spotlight as Reporter Arrested" : http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-08-04-media-freedom-under-spotlight-as-reporter-arrested
    Interesting comments at end of article here's one:

    "AWE - SHOCK - HORROR Are we suprised by this news - NO!!
    Gen Cele did warn that the press were not to say any more nasty things about the ANC or its buddies or action would be taken - and so it has. No more 'allegations' true or false and no more court cases. Well thats a relief - no more coughing up taxpayers money to defend the indefensible -

    From now on - we can look forward to headlines that read - NOT ALLOWED TO REPORT ON THE DOINGS OF THE ANC TODAY. THE ANC HAVE NOTHING TO SAY TODAY / THE ANC HAVE DONE NOTHING TODAY and so on........ Should make for a peaceful life instead of the continuous onslaught of dodgy doings that we have become accustomed to. If you want information about your government please read the Gupta press ...."

  12. Uno

    Cele is the new bully in government, this is clearly a public act of intimidation, independently of this jornalist's shady past. By the way is posessing a fraudulent letter a criminal act? Isn't that what jornalists do? Investigate the information they receive and check if their sources are reliable, if he hasn't published anything how can he be arrested? No wonder they haven't disclosed his charges. I think this guy was on to something and they are using this to keep it under. 6 plain clothes policemen to arrest 1 jornalist?

  13. Juxtapose

    jah, it's a bit of a kobayshi maru for the journalist involved and perhaps even for us all. we hope (hopefully not against hope) that he hasn't been arrested for malicious reasons. but then, if indeed he was arrested for valid reasons, and the sanctity of the republic is left intact, then the journalist is in alot of trouble. particular to us all; if his crimes relate to his trade (intimately so) then it gives the politicians ammunition to continue pushing forward with some of their ill-conceived aims. i get the feeling that which ever this goes, we've already lost, somehow

  14. Juxtapose

    oh, related but separate....the media tribunal, would not be a unique feature to south africa. the key thing is that it is indeed independent, which given the co-opting nature of the ruling class, it may be independent on paper but not in substance. jeremy cronin (lhttp://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/article586733.ece/Do-we-need-a-tribunal) makes an interesting argument for this tribunal - i don't agree with the move towards a tribunal, but id wish the media covered it with less heat, and more light. the discussions around the tribunal have been mixed up with discussion (and outrage) concerning the proposed legislation. very interesting debate this

  15. onelove

    ANC pushing ahead with Protection of Information Bill taking a harder and harder line.

    "If passed, the Secrecy Act will draw a veil over the exercise of state power. It will help to mask the corrupt activities of those in government and facilitate cover-ups, tender irregularities and official fraud."

    Glenda Daniels - Right2Know
    Mail and Guardian 2 Sep-8Sep 2011

Hello, Moeti.

You have to be logged in or registered to leave your mark.

hello (at) 75.co.za