The right to freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can afford to give up.
Duduzile Khumalo
SPHIWE MASILELA: They don't, because at some point and in some place, they are journalists who don't have access to the information they require because it is withheld by high-ranking officials who do not want to share information.
World Press Freedom Day is marked on May 3, the day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom around the globe.
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette asked people if they think media personalities in South Africa have enough freedom and why do they say so…
DINEO MOTLALEHI: Personally, based on what I’ve heard and seen in previous media situations, they don’t have press freedom; the information they publish is restricted, and journalists can’t write what they want.VIRNALIZE WELTHAGEN: They don’t have enough freedom; they’re restricted in what they can say or print, and high authorities have the final word on what material is disclosed.ANTOINETTE MCCULLOCH: I believe that as a country, we have far too much press freedom, which is why we have so much violence.LWAZI KHUBONI: I think there are still niches and gaps in the media in South Africa where journalists’ freedom is restricted and whatever they say is reviewed.ANGELA TRZECIAK: I believe they have adequate media freedom in general, but there are times and situations when they will have more.CLAIRE BAATJES: They have press freedom because they can influence us, and I believe it all comes down to their presence, whether famous or notorious.AUDREY RAMPOU: I do not think they have freedom, because they are always constrained in what they can say and have no authority or freedom to do what they want.
