Government / media relations need ‘healthy tensions’

The relationship between government and the media in any democracy is underpinned and marked by “healthy tensions”, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday.

In his opening remarks at the 2015 government-SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) Indaba in Pretoria, he said: “Since we first met in this forum many years ago our relationship has improved and become more constructive. These engagements, I am told, have always been forthright and robust.

“From government’s perspective, our approach to our engagement is grounded in our commitment to a free and thriving media,” Ramaphosa said.

“We hold the view that the media is critical in informing citizens about the work of government and educating them about their rights and responsibilities. To be successful as a country and nurture a functioning democracy we need to partner with the fourth estate so that it can empower citizens.”

South Africans expected the media to scrutinise the actions and policies of government. They expected to know what government was doing, and what government was not doing.

“But more than that, they want to be part of that engagement. With the emergence of new media platforms, citizens are increasingly able to shape public discourse. They are also able to be active public discourse participants and indeed activists arising from these new media platforms,” he said.

“They are able to ask difficult questions. They are able to offer solutions and actively promote their interests.”

Even in the age of citizen journalism and social media, the formal news media remained an institution entrusted with the task of informing, explaining, interpreting, and making sense of the complexity of current affairs and modern life.

“As government, we appreciate the role that the formal news media plays and have been working to improve our ability to facilitate that role,” Ramaphosa said.

The free flow of information among all South Africans was vital to securing the social cohesion, collective focus, and coherent action needed to advance the national developmental objectives.

“Each of us – politicians, journalists, editors – are custodians of our democracy, of development, of justice and equality. We all therefore have a profound and abiding interest in the progress we are making towards the realisation of that promise of 1994.

“We are and should be encouraged by every accomplishment. We are and should be concerned about every setback. I hope that in our discussions today [Saturday] we can remain mindful of this shared responsibility,” Ramaphosa said.

(File photo: Gallo Images)