Dear Editor,
The Department of Communication published a brief on Facebook called “Raising the Bar for facilitation of factual information to the public”.
In this brief they refer to a 2017 policy regulating the execution of the weekly press briefing of the council of ministers. This policy has now been amended and all media partners have to reapply for a press pass, valid for one year..
The brutal part here is where they say: “It is at the discretion of DCOMM and ultimately the Council of Ministers who will determine the caliber of reporting/journalism permitted to question the executive branch of government.”
Let that sink in for a minute, even totalitarian countries don’t put it that bold! We choose our governments by general elections and have the right to question our governments on their decision-making and execution. Journalism is one of the tools the population has to ask these questions.
Government has no place and no right to choose who they like and who they do not like to ask the questions and to report on them.
Our journalists know what needs to be done now, sharpen your pens, fill up your blogs and vlogs, don’t let them get away with this travesty.
Binkie van Es
