Media Worries
Should a government have any role whatsoever in regulating journalism? That is the central question in the emerging debate about the African National Congress’ prospective establishment of a “Media Appeals Tribunal.”
My initial reaction is that government is best removed from the business of regulating or challenging or facilitating its critics. This is especially the case when the state supports a substantial arm of the media, in this case the SABC and its extensive radio and television empire. Indeed, to go further, in the long run if anything maybe the ANC and the South African government generally, should be thinking of removing itself as fully from media involvement generally. Even if the SABC continues to thrive, perhaps it should receive only state funding, and not other state input.