editor’s note
ROB ROSE: Koko shows his colours
Eskom CEO, under a personal cloud, questions media "self-regulation". But all the evidence shows countries with a free press have higher growth
Matshela Koko, the acting CEO of beleaguered power parastatal Eskom, would seem to be far more comfortable were a government censor deciding what news you read. Last week, press ombudsman Johan Retief issued a ruling that led Koko to question whether the media should be allowed to "self-regulate". Given that the alternative is some sort of government-constituted tribunal, it seems Koko is no great fan of free speech.The ombudsman case concerned a Financial Mail story in February that laid bare the explosive contents of the Dentons report (which Eskom hid for two years), revealing alleged cronyism, ineptitude and corruption at the state-owned company. Eskom wasn’t happy, and complained. So last week, Retief delivered a ruling in which he dismissed 21 of Eskom’s complaints against this magazine, but reprimanded it on three issues. Disingenuously, Koko then bragged about Retief "ruling in favour of Eskom against the Financial Mail", adding: "Does self-regulation work?" It was an odd qu...
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