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.
The Bush Radio team travelled to various communities across Cape Town to get people to question the political parties contesting in the 2014 elections in a series of community debates which was also broadcast on 89.5fm and online. But the job is not yet done – the team will now be based at the Western Cape IEC results centre to bring you coverage of the results as they are made available.
Bush Radio’s flagship current affairs programme: “Newsline” will broadcast live on Thursday the 8th May 2014 at 7pm with Natalie Malgas and Freedom Raphela of “Everyday People” doing a build up show from 4pm.
Stay tuned to 89.5FM or online for more special crossing to the results centre as results are made available.
The final in our series of 5 debates around the national and provincial elections for 2014 takes place in Kraaifontein on Thursday, 1st May 2014 (Worker’s Day).
Please note this debate which will once again be broadcast on 89.5fm and online will be earlier – 2pm to 4pm.
Details:
Time: 14h00 – 16h00
Date: 1 May 2014
Venue: Bloekombos Community Hall, Sam Njokozela Avenue, Kraaifontein
Remember to join us at the venue or tune in and send your sms to 32158 to have your voice heard.
Today from 6pm to 8pm Bush Radio will again host a debate between the various political parties contesting in the 2014 elections.
Members of the community in Joe Slovo Park are invited to Sinenjongo High School where they will have the opportunity to pose questions to the parties.
Bush Radio listeners, or those unable to make it to the venue can send us questions on 32158 and tune in via 89.5fm or online.
Details:
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Venue: Sinenjongo High School, 4 Khozi Drive, Joe Slovo Park, Milnerton
The third in a series of election debates will be from Mitchells Plain from 6pm – 8pm on Tuesday the 29 April 2014. Everyone is invited to attend but remember if you can’t get there it will be broadcast on 89.5fm and online.
The first of Bush Radio’s election debates last night (23/04/2014) in Khayelitsha had a massive turnout (see below) and political parties and their supporters had heated discussions.
Tonight we bring you another broadcast, this time from the Simunye High School in Delft. The debate, which is also broadcast live on 89.5FM and online, will start at 6pm.
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