World Press Freedom day (3 May) is a date which celebrates the principles of press freedom, to evaluate and defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
World Press Freedom day also acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect and commitment to press freedom.
It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom – a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
The media in South Africa commemorates the 41st anniversary of the infamous “Black Wednesday” which happened on the 19 October 1977, The World and Weekend World newspapers and several organisations were banned.
We have come a long way to media freedom in this country. Being Africa’s oldest community radio station project, which at one stage faced the full wrath of the apartheid government, we feel it is our duty and responsibility to promote accurate and fair reporting.
Bush Radio does not have the resources to be a “breaking news” station, but it is our duty to be accurate and give our listeners an opportunity to make up their own minds. This however can only happen if we present all sides of any argument, through good research and having access to role-players like politicians on a local, provincial and national level – this is proving harder and harder as officials simply refuse to comment or respond to questions from our newsroom and producers.
We call on all role-players who have an interest in improving the lives of the people on the Cape Flats to be accessible, especially to community media who truly speak and represent the people of Cape Town. It is only by engaging on the hard questions that we can truly claim to be improving the lives of citizens – and being a platform where people and audience can engage with political and social leaders. Thereby learning, healing and growing this wonderful city.
As a place where many young journalists start in their careers, we call upon our audience to hold us accountable and engage with us around our reporting and broadcasts.
Background on Black Wednesday:
On this day in 1977 in South Africa, then Minister of Justice Jimmy Kruger, banned The World and Weekend World newspapers by stating that these publications were “publishing inflammatory material that threatened the nation’s security” and the paper’s editor Percy Qoboza and other journalists were arrested and jailed.
19 organisations were also banned and apartheid critics were detained.
The organisations banned were BPC, SASO, Black Community Programmes, Black Parents Association, Black Women’s Federation, Border Youth Organisation, Eastern Province Youth Organisation, Medupe Writers Association, Natal Youth Organisation, National Youth Organisation, SASM, Soweto Students Representative Council, Soweto Teachers Action Committee, Transvaal Youth Organisation, Union of Black Journalists, Western Cape Youth Organisation, Zimele Trust Fund, Association for the Educational and Cultural Advancement of African People of South Africa.
Banning orders were also served on Beyers Naude and journalist Donald Woods.
13 February 2018 is World Radio Day– a day to celebrate radio as a medium: to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.
Radio is the mass media reaching the widest audience in the world. It is also recognised as a powerful communication tool and a low cost medium
On Thursday, 27 April 2015, South Africa’s Freedom Day – Everyday People host Sive Msolo will attempt to broadcast for 24 hours straight on 89.5fm and online via www.bushradio.co.za.
He will host all the Thursday programming on Bush Radio 89.5fm from 12am in the morning along with all the regulars as we celebrate Freedom Day 2017 with 24 hours of Freedom.
Besides Sive hosting from the Breakfast Rush to the Level Da Vibes, he will also be highlighting what Freedom Day means and you are invited to call (021 448 6266), or SMS (32158), whatsapp (0832973910) or participate via twitter, facebook and instagram (#24hoursoffreedom).
Besides some of the serious stuff and excellent music – Sive will be doing some excellent give aways.
It has been a tough year for all of us and with the festive season upon us it is only getting tougher. We at Bush Radio are encouraging all our listeners to watch their spending by supporting International Buy Nothing Day 2016.
Don’t fall for excessive consumerism. Think before spending.
On Monday, 27 April 2015, South Africa’s Freedom Day – Everyday People host Freedom FlexDarkskin will attempt to broadcast for 24 hours straight on 89.5fm and online via www.bushradio.co.za.
He will host all the Monday programming on Bush Radio 89.5fm from 12am in the morning until 12pm that night as we celebrate Freedom Day 2015 with 24 hours of Freedom.
Besides Freedom hosting from the Breakfast Rush to the Wrong Rock Show he will also be highlighting what Freedom Day means and you are invited to call (021 448 6266), or SMS (32158) or participate via twitter, facebook and instagram (#24hoursoffreedom).
Besides some of the serious stuff and excellent music – Freedom will be giving away loads of prizes – ranging from bluetooth speakers to stationery.
24 hours of Freedom is being produced by the other host of Everyday People, Sive Msolo.
The campaign celebrates 20 years of democracy in South Africa, Shifty’s 30th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the Voëlvry tour.
A number of events are planned for September, culminating in the Shifty Heritage Music Festival on Heritage Day in Johannesburg, featuring many of the label’s legendary artists.
What can you win?
If you pledge your support by buying any Shifty September reward, and enter your name in the Wrong Rock Show give-away, you stand a chance of winning one “The Vinyl Solution” reward, which includes:
• Voëlvry LP [signed by surviving Voëlvryers]
• Repackaged: Bigger than Jesus LP [signed by Warrick Sony]
• Pot-luck of 3 rare original still-in-their-plastic Shifty Records [it’s a surprise]
• 2 tickets to the Shifty Heritage Music Festival
• A thank you with your name on the virtual wall of thanks exhibition + a surprise Shifty gift
• We will verify your pledge with Shifty Records and on 16 September 2014, once the Thundafund campaign is closed, we will draw one name from those entered as the winner of the vinyl goodies.
Tune in! On Monday 1 September 2014 the Wrong Rock Show will be joined by Warrick Sony for a special 2-hour preview of the Shifty compilations to be released as part of the campaign.
They are:
• Shifty & Quirky
• Shifty Blue
• Shifty Love
• Shifty Pop
• Shifty Protests
• Shifty Rocks
Please note:
• If you cannot attend the festival and cannot nominate anyone to receive your tickets, we will draw another name to give your tickets to.
• If you cannot attend the festival and collect your LP’s, you will be asked to pay postage for delivery.
Today marks Zane Ibrahim’s 73rd birthday – we have been receiving many tributes to him via our Facebook group and from emails sent to the station from around the world since we announced his passing – including from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and local tabloid Die Son.
Bush Radio would also like to thank Voice of the Cape and Radio 786 for helping to spread the word of Zane’s passing.
Many people have been asking about a memorial for Zane and we are consulting with his family as to how to best celebrate Zane’s life and will post details once these have been finalised.
We thought we’d share a few of the messages that have come to us and the tributes paid to Zane via other media. Click on the pictures to view the original post.
From the Cape Argus Life section
The famed managing director of South Africa’s Bush Radio has died. The current program manager at Bush Radio tells Carol about Zane Ibrahim’s legacy.
“We have only been free for a few years and look at what we have built here. The US has been free for 200 years and your laws still prevent people from building places like Bush Radio?”
He shocked us with what is now his much quoted saying ’90% community. 10% radio’ but as debate flew around the room we soon saw how right he is.
The Prince Claus Fund is saddened by the news of the passing of Zane Ibrahim of Bush Radio, recipient of the 2000 Prince Claus Award.
In die mediawêreld was hy ook ’n bekende reus wat aktief was by baie radiostasies regoor die wêreld.
World Press Freedom day (3 May) is a date which celebrates the principles of press freedom, to evaluate and defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
On Thursday, 27 April 2015, South Africa’s Freedom Day – Everyday People host Sive Msolo will attempt to broadcast for 24 hours straight on 89.5fm and online via 
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Bushradio 89.5 FM 