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.
T.P. supported by Bush Radio 89.5fm, gives you and your partner the opportunity to win ONE of FIVE double tickets to the URBAN ELEMENTS event happening this Saturday the 28th March at THE CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE featuring K.O. and Tbo Touch and some of Cape Town’s finest DJs
The special DOUBLE LOUNGE ACCESS TICKETS are valued at R 500 and gets you private parking, access to the VIP lounge and complimentary drinks from 6pm till 9pm.
To stand a chance of winning 1 of the 5 double tickets tune into Everyday People this week between 4pm and 7pm on Bush Radio 89.5fm. Sive and Freedom will be asking you to call in (021 448 6266) and answer a simple question to win one set of double tickets each day until Friday.
When the Breakfast Team and Logistics team leader Victor J came to the office on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, he knew that the day would live up to its “Mal Wednesday” name.
During the night a water fitting which had been replaced by our landlord a few months ago burst. The resulting flood left the admin office, toilets and part of the music library covered in water.
Victor J and Dennis Kofi checking the damage in the admin office
Singer Auriol Hays was waiting to co-host the Breakfast Show with Victor, while the team started mopping up and assessing the damage to the building and equipment. Unfortunately, due to the amount of water, the station may take a while to dry out and be fully functional (If you can help click here).
Amanda Kili surveys some of the damage
The trainees have decided that playing any music by Wet, Wet, Wet might be a bad idea right now.
Bush Radio Intern, Elias Aba Milki making sure he gets good sound
On Wednesday (27 October 2010), a few of the Bush Radio staff and volunteers participated in a march to parliament organised by the Right to Know campaign, not simply to cover the protest for our newsroom (see story & video) but also to raise some of our concerns.
Newsroom trainees, Lusanda Bill (front) & Lelethu Mquqo get into the action with intern Sabrina Neri and Everyday People host Sive Msolo
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.
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