Onslaught on media freedom
SANDTON – Media student speaks out on her views regarding censorship.
The issue of censorship is a hot topic in the media at the moment.
On 1 July, members of the media gathered outside the SABC in Aukland Park to protest against censorship and among them was a student whose future in the media world will be directly impacted by censorship laws.
This 19-year-old student and Craighall resident, Taynita Harilal, courageously expressed her mature and insightful views on the matter. “The recent onslaught on media freedom in South Africa should be of concern for every citizen,” she said.
“Taking part in the picket against the SABC censorship and standing in solidarity with the journalists who are suspended was important to me. Active citizenship is important and there comes a time when we all have to stand for our beliefs and values.”
She believes censorship anywhere in the world is scary. “[Censorship] challenges press freedom and allows for dictators to prescribe their policies. It also removes objective reporting and in a sense does not represent honest, transparent news reporting.”
Harilal is completing her first year of a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Witwatersrand and is majoring in media studies and international relations.
She referred to the history of South Africa in explaining her argument further and said, “Any restrictions on news becomes biased and subjective reporting which prohibits free and fair reporting. Governments who want control and do as they please can only thrive under media censorship.
“In South Africa, especially as a nation, we know that apartheid survived for so long because the media was controlled, which is always bad for citizens.”
Harilal added that freedom of speech and expression were vital in the media. “Freedom of speech and expression means journalists and the media can do their work of producing news without being bullied or subjected to censorship laws. Media freedom also means, as citizens, we can trust the media to report on news that reflects the views of citizens and, in fact, all South Africans, in a balanced and fair manner.”
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