18 October 1999
Tomorrow, 19th October, marks the 22nd anniversary of that black day in South Africa’s history when the apartheid regime, in its infinite wisdom, issued banning orders on several black newspapers, organisations and individual journalists. Besides giving all South Africans the opportunity to remember the lessons of those dark times and celebrate people’s resistance, this day should be a challenge to the South African press, a challenge to reflect on the central issue of press freedom and responsibility.
The freedom of expression that is now guaranteed in our new Constitution cannot be celebrated in any meaningful way as long as the vast majority of the press continues to be owned by, and reflect the interests of, a small minority of the population. Every day we are confronted with endless reports about the life of big business, about the lives of the rich and middle classes. Every day we witness the pathetic coverage that most of the press provides on the real international situation, in a world where over 2 billion people live in absolute poverty. It is no coincidence that most of the international ‘news’ stories carried in South African papers come directly from London and New York. In a country where the overwhelming majority are workers and poor, freedom of the press must mean a great deal more than class-biased ownership and reportage. The best way to celebrate the press freedom that we now enjoy is for the press itself to appreciate that it is only through diversity that such freedom can be truly exercised and enjoyed by all.
The South African Communist Party, as a victim of the repression of the apartheid regime, understands the importance of press freedom and responsibility. For our part, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our own publication, "The African Communist", a classic example of resilience in the face of political suppression and economic hardship. As we remember that black day 22 years ago, we believe that the best way to celebrate the heroism of journalists like Percy Qoboza is to deepen the struggle for a freedom of the press that reflects the lives and interests of all South Africans.
Issued by the SACP Department of Information & Publicity
E-Mail: sacp1@wn.apc.org
South African Communist Party Head Office
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
(Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2)
(Fax: 27 11 339-4244)