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Political Perspective

Political Perspective

I GUESS it should come as no surprise that a number of National Council members want restrictions on the media. Maybe someone should point out to them that the guarantees of freedom of speech and expression apply to their own less-than-intelligent comments as much as they do to the press.

A curb on us for reporting much of the rubbish that is spoken there would probably be a good way to embark on the called-for-restrictions, since it’s people like this who are mostly responsible for spreading fear and loathing… IMAGINE, some of them actually ‘pleading’ with the Minister of Information and Broadcasting to impose restrictions, particularly on the print media, for among others, the following infractions: * being everywhere (?!) * using vulgar language * inviting ‘danger’ to the country * spreading ‘separatist’ news * ‘abusing’ leaders * being agencies of other countries * misquoting people * ‘killing’ the news I’d like to invite those NC members who are even vaguely interested in formulating educated opinions in Parliament, particularly on a such a cornerstone democratic issue as free speech and the press, to spend a day with us to see how the print media operates and to ask us any questions.Again, I have to return to my often-expressed lament.Can they try, in the process of speaking from a public platform, to also acquaint themselves with the country’s Constitution.Freedom of speech and press are entrenched in our Bill of Rights which is both enforceable by the courts and protected from erosion. i.e. you can’t take them away.Well, I guess you could, but you shouldn’t! I say this in case the concept of further infringement on these rights falls on more fertile ground in the ruling party.Already it is a worrying trend.Not the ongoing unsubstantiated nonsense about the media, but the fact that sectors of the ruling party are becoming more and more intolerant, and often exhibit their own ignorance in the process.They tend to forget they are given immunity for the nonsense they often spout in Parliament.The media don’t enjoy quite the same carte blanche.Why do they continue to harp on and use the media as the whipping boy for all ills in this country? Forgetting all the good that they do.Airing people’s views for one, even when they are inconsequential or foolish.Exposing people’s hardships and often succeeding in getting them assistance in the process:whether it’s the water crisis in Katima or a family shack burning down in Okuryangava.Aiding in the task of educating our nation.Being a conduit between government and people and facilitating the flow of information from one to the other and vice versa.And, yes, exposing wrongdoing in Government and elsewhere, and taking our leaders to task when they spout the nonsense they often do.It’s not the media that make inflammatory comments or risk setting the country alight, it’s the people – often the leadership that we report on – who do this quite adequately by themselves.And unlike them, when we err, we correct our mistakes, and if that doesn’t suffice, we face prosecution in the courts.That’s why we invite MPs (especially those who are vocal on a subject they know little to nothing about) to come and see for themselves just how the media operates.Perhaps it will contribute to some kind of understanding on their part.Truly, if we aspire to anything at all in this country, such as making of ourselves an informed nation, then let us try to promote literacy and understanding, rather than foolishly call for the erosion of rights which many fought so hard to entrench.IMAGINE, some of them actually ‘pleading’ with the Minister of Information and Broadcasting to impose restrictions, particularly on the print media, for among others, the following infractions: * being everywhere (?!) * using vulgar language * inviting ‘danger’ to the country * spreading ‘separatist’ news * ‘abusing’ leaders * being agencies of other countries * misquoting people * ‘killing’ the news I’d like to invite those NC members who are even vaguely interested in formulating educated opinions in Parliament, particularly on a such a cornerstone democratic issue as free speech and the press, to spend a day with us to see how the print media operates and to ask us any questions.Again, I have to return to my often-expressed lament.Can they try, in the process of speaking from a public platform, to also acquaint themselves with the country’s Constitution.Freedom of speech and press are entrenched in our Bill of Rights which is both enforceable by the courts and protected from erosion. i.e. you can’t take them away.Well, I guess you could, but you shouldn’t! I say this in case the concept of further infringement on these rights falls on more fertile ground in the ruling party.Already it is a worrying trend.Not the ongoing unsubstantiated nonsense about the media, but the fact that sectors of the ruling party are becoming more and more intolerant, and often exhibit their own ignorance in the process.They tend to forget they are given immunity for the nonsense they often spout in Parliament.The media don’t enjoy quite the same carte blanche.Why do they continue to harp on and use the media as the whipping boy for all ills in this country? Forgetting all the good that they do.Airing people’s views for one, even when they are inconsequential or foolish.Exposing people’s hardships and often succeeding in getting them assistance in the process:whether it’s the water crisis in Katima or a family shack burning down in Okuryangava.Aiding in the task of educating our nation.Being a conduit between government and people and facilitating the flow of information from one to the other and vice versa.And, yes, exposing wrongdoing in Government and elsewhere, and taking our leaders to task when they spout the nonsense they often do.It’s not the media that make inflammatory comments or risk setting the country alight, it’s the people – often the leadership that we report on – who do this quite adequately by themselves.And unlike them, when we err, we correct our mistakes, and if that doesn’t suffice, we face prosecution in the courts.That’s why we invite MPs (especially those who are vocal on a subject they know little to nothing about) to come and see for themselves just how the media operates.Perhaps it will contribute to some kind of understanding on their part.Truly, if we aspire to anything at all in this country, such as making of ourselves an informed nation, then let us try to promote literacy and understanding, rather than foolishly call for the erosion of rights which many fought so hard to entrench.

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