Government committed to media freedom: Ramaphosa

21 November 2015 - 14:48 By TMG Digital

The government is committed to a free and thriving media and views the media as joint custodian with the government of democracy‚ development‚ justice and equality in the country‚ Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says. Speaking at a meeting with editors of the various media‚ he said the free flow of information among all South Africans was vital to securing the social cohesion‚ collective focus and coherent action needed to advance the country’s national developmental objectives.“We hold the view that the media is critical in informing citizens about the work of government and educating them about their rights and responsibilities.“To be successful as a country and nurture a functioning democracy we need to partner with the Fourth Estate so that it can empower citizens‚” Ramaphosa stated.He added that South Africans expected the media to scrutinise the actions and policies of government and they expected to know what government was doing‚ and what government was not doing. But more than that‚ they wanted to be part of that engagement.“With the emergence of new media platforms‚ citizens are increasingly able to shape public discourse. They are also able to be active public discourse participants and indeed activists arising from these new media platforms.“They are able to ask difficult questions. They are able to offer solutions and actively promote their interests.”Even in the age of citizen journalism and social media‚ the formal news media remained an institution entrusted with the task of informing‚ explaining‚ interpreting and making sense of the complexity of current affairs and modern life‚ Ramaphosa said.“The formal traditional media continues to enjoy access to our legislatures‚ various institutions‚ courtrooms and boardrooms to report and offer commentary.“It is able to engage with institutions - both public and private - in a direct and meaningful way.“As government‚ we appreciate the role that the formal news media plays and have been working to improve our ability to facilitate that role‚” he added.He noted that early in the term of the current administration‚ President Jacob Zuma had established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Information and Publicity‚ chaired by Minister Jeff Radebe.This committee sought to improve government's communications operations and to build stronger relations with the media.The Presidency would soon launch the Presidential Media and Communication Working Group‚ which would bring government into contact with media proprietors and sectoral experts.This would enable government to develop an understanding of developments and challenges in this important economic sector‚ Ramaphosa stated.“We have also undertaken to establish a Presidential Press Corps‚ which will comprise journalists who cover the Presidency.“This is intended to improve the quality and depth of the Presidency's and therefore government's interaction with the media.“It will also create a formal channel of communication between the Presidency and journalists covering the institution...

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