ID MP LANCE GREYLING HANDS OVER SUBMISSION ON BEHALF OF MEDIA FREEDOM SOUTH AFRICA
17 SEPTEMBER 2010-ID MP Lance Greyling has handed over a submission on behalf of Media Freedom South Africa against the Media Tribunal and Protection of Information Bill [B6-2010 ]to the Speaker of Parliament.
ID MP Lance Greyling has handed over a submission on behalf of Media
Freedom South Africa against the Media Tribunal and Protection of
Information Bill [B6-2010 ]to the Speaker of Parliament.
Media Freedom South Africa, a citizen’s initiative, has put together 2142 online signatures obtained through social network sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
Media Freedom South Africa says it ‘this Bill will allow for the prosecution of individuals involved in handling this new classifies information and thereby severely curtailing whistle-blowing activities and legitimate investigative journalism.’
‘In terms of the proposed Media Tribunal, Media Freedom South Africa hold’s the belief that the media is the fourth estate – reflecting the views of society, reporting on the facts and informing the population at large. We firmly hold the view that politicians should not be in any way entrusted with the task of holding media to account as this responsibility belongs to civil society and the public at large, ’ states Luana Jordaan of Media Freedom South Africa in her letter to the Speaker of Parliament.
Jordaan goes on to say ‘It is for these reasons that we have drawn up this petition - to voice to the Speaker of Parliament, that there is opposition, not just at a media or a political party level, but also at the level of individuals, ordinary citizens, who wish to hold onto their rights and responsibilities as a citizen of this great Republic. Two thousand one hundred and forty-two people of this nation have agreed with these sentiments.’
The petition reads:
“To: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
Dear President Zuma and the South African Government,
We are South Africans and have a deeply vested interest in and love for our country.
We are signing this petition today to declare our disagreement with the proposed Media Tribunal and other clauses in the proposed Protection of Information Bill. We consider this a threat to our belief in the supremacy of the Constitution.
We are also reaffirming our citizens' right to use the Press Ombudsman, write to the editor or simply not consume that media house’s offering when we disagree with them. This is our role, not Parliaments’ or governments. We are taking back this responsibility.
Sincerely,
The 2142 citizens undersigned”
The signature of this submission are available at http://www.petitiononline.com/MFSA/petition.html
For media enquiries please contact Lance Greyling on 083 298 8553
Media Freedom South Africa, a citizen’s initiative, has put together 2142 online signatures obtained through social network sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
Media Freedom South Africa says it ‘this Bill will allow for the prosecution of individuals involved in handling this new classifies information and thereby severely curtailing whistle-blowing activities and legitimate investigative journalism.’
‘In terms of the proposed Media Tribunal, Media Freedom South Africa hold’s the belief that the media is the fourth estate – reflecting the views of society, reporting on the facts and informing the population at large. We firmly hold the view that politicians should not be in any way entrusted with the task of holding media to account as this responsibility belongs to civil society and the public at large, ’ states Luana Jordaan of Media Freedom South Africa in her letter to the Speaker of Parliament.
Jordaan goes on to say ‘It is for these reasons that we have drawn up this petition - to voice to the Speaker of Parliament, that there is opposition, not just at a media or a political party level, but also at the level of individuals, ordinary citizens, who wish to hold onto their rights and responsibilities as a citizen of this great Republic. Two thousand one hundred and forty-two people of this nation have agreed with these sentiments.’
The petition reads:
“To: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
Dear President Zuma and the South African Government,
We are South Africans and have a deeply vested interest in and love for our country.
We are signing this petition today to declare our disagreement with the proposed Media Tribunal and other clauses in the proposed Protection of Information Bill. We consider this a threat to our belief in the supremacy of the Constitution.
We are also reaffirming our citizens' right to use the Press Ombudsman, write to the editor or simply not consume that media house’s offering when we disagree with them. This is our role, not Parliaments’ or governments. We are taking back this responsibility.
Sincerely,
The 2142 citizens undersigned”
The signature of this submission are available at http://www.petitiononline.com/MFSA/petition.html
For media enquiries please contact Lance Greyling on 083 298 8553
