SA’s media put on notice
There’s a bitter irony to Jackson Mthembu’s appeal to parliament to regulate the media
ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu this week revived a hoary old policy chestnut. Releasing the ANC’s discussion document on communication, he revived the party’s criticism of media self-regulation. The bitter irony is that he used the example of newspapers belonging to the Independent Media stable — The Star, Cape Times and Argus — because they had decided not to subject themselves to the voluntary system of the press ombudsman. "Parliament must urgently undertake an inquiry into how to regulate the media," he said. "We would like to show parliament how self-regulation has failed." What is curious is what Mthembu describes as the root cause of the ANC’s unhappiness with the media: "The print media hardly recognises achievements we do make in terms of economic or social progress." Is this the same Mthembu who said ANC president Jacob Zuma was speaking "plain rubbish" when he questioned Pravin Gordhan’s loyalty on the basis of an "intelligence report"? On that occasion, Mthembu had nothi...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.