The new protection of state information continues to be more and more controversial. Ordinary South African citizens are not the only ones who are unhappy about it. Just to prove that, Thuli Madonsela, Public Protector said on Wednesday, March, 27 2012 that in its current structure, the information bill will trip her up in her job.
Mandosela warns that the Protection of State Information Bill, if not exposed to changes, will make the work of her office difficult to execute.
She said whistleblowers would be discouraged from coming forth with important information about wrongdoing and that her staff would be at risk of being taken to prison for carrying such information.
Like many other people, Madonsela said to the members of the parliamentary that she agrees that there has to be some degree of state secrecy was needed, but said that the current version of the draft law was going to contradict the constitution.
When asked how the bill would affect her office, the Public Protector said “Will I be affected? Yes. Severely,”
She added by saying “We will not be toothless, but we are going to function under more onerous circumstances,”
It appears to be clear that the new Protection of State Information needs to be reviewed. We cannot afford to have a bill that threatens to bring back some elements of apartheid.
The message to the members of the parliamentary dealing with the Bill is simple: The Bill must be changed to fit in the new democratic South Africa.
I agree with Thuli the bill must be changed other wise journalist will face problems.
ReplyDeleteIf Journalists face problems, our country will also face problems - if one looks at the number of service delivery protects that have taken place in SA lately, it is simply because people are less informed about their resources - the new information bill will make it even worse!
Deletewe might as well go back to the apartheid era, where journalists were under strict supervision on what they could or could not publish. During the democractic year, there were talks of freedom of speech and expression as one of the human rights and now when people like jornalists express their views and do it the legal way, all of a sudden the ruling party feels that it doesnt work for them because they are being exposed of their wrong doings.WHAT IS THE ANC HIDING so much?
ReplyDeleteInteresting question Lorraine, this bill should be democratic - if it benefits only those who are at the top of the ladder, the SA citizens face an oppression of a different kind.
DeleteLet our Journalists be free in their work!
the RULLING PARTY CAN GO JUMP OF A CLIFF. they are being unfair to the citizens of South Africa
DeleteThe bill must be changed,but it should not be changes for benefit of some individuals for the country as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI must agree, the new info bill must be considerate towards all people living in SA, whether ordinary, rich or poor.
Deletei definately agree with Thuli, this information bill will kill the journalistic skills of our fellow journalists. what kind of freedom of speech are we saying we have if there are still things that are not suppose to be published or said in the public???why is it that the Government is afraid of transparency???
ReplyDeleteThe Bill does not seem fair because it doesn't allow freedom of expression and it is killiling investigative journalism.
ReplyDeletethat i agree we cant be living in the old world that involves the apartheird while we thought its the end of it.
ReplyDelete