There has been much discussion recently about the proposed Protection of Information Bill. Should this Bill find its way into the statute books in its current form, it will give the government virtually free reign in deciding what the media can and cannot print. The legislation has drawn widespread criticism because it has such potential for abuse. This is particularly worrying in a country which doesn’t exactly have the best track-record when it comes to fighting corruption.
The proposed Bill is chillingly reminiscent of similar laws that curtailed press freedom during the dark days of apartheid – the very same laws that the present ruling party fought against so bitterly. Would you like fries with your irony, Mr Zuma?
I’ve had to sit through many a dreary PowerPoint presentation where I’ve desperately wanted to gag the speaker. If I’m expected to grit my teeth and resist the temptation, then I don’t see why the government can’t do the same.
wait a minute? did we accidently export a bunch of right wing nutjobs? we meant to send bad television programming, low-paying jobs and an epidemic of obesity….
LikeLike
I guess the bad comes with the good.
LikeLike
Yes, scary, but still with the humour on your side of the mountain. “you ANC nothing yet.”
🙂
LikeLike
These clowns don’t like it when people laugh at them.
LikeLike
That one does the head in, like any good satire.
LikeLike
Wow! I’m sorry to hear about that. Thank god there’s no WAY that could happen in the United States.
Could it?
LikeLike
Oh, of course not. Never. Nope.
LikeLike
I remember those days when the government censors had free reign – and I also remember when The Star started leaving gaps where the pulled articles had been – sometimes something so little can say so much!
I guess someone needs to remind them that “freedom of speech” doesn’t actually mean the freedom to choose what speech they want to hear!
PS. When I was younger, I was rather relieved to discover that I had normal nipples… I almost miss Scope and all those stars! 😀
LikeLike
Interesting. I was disappointed to discover that nipples weren’t star-shaped.
LikeLike
mine are 😉
LikeLike
Twinkle, twinkle.
LikeLike
That is terrifying.
I am very, very scared of censorship ( I’m kind of writing a book about it actually. The book will probably suck ) and to see it rearing it’s ugly head makes me fear not only for your country, but also for our world.
I hope things turn out okay.
LikeLike
You and me both. I can’t say I’m optimistic, though. Our present government has a reputation for promulgating extremely ill-considered legislation and then scratching their heads afterwards when things go awry.
LikeLike
censorship is everywhere, all the time..no matter how you look at it..it’s here to stay..
Politicians do it, parents do it, schools do it..pick a person, pick a place, pick a subject..it’s all censored somewhere at some time.
even you have the right to censor me..go ahead..I dare you!!
LikeLike
Ok
LikeLike
Yeah, I am very surprised, considering Australia’s history, they would introduce a bill like this.
LikeLike
I’m not. I don’t think Australia’s history means all that much to the South African government.
LikeLike
I was thinking “Wouldn’t that violate the first amendment?” but then I realized “Oh wait not everyone lives in the U.S.”
LikeLike
We would certainly avoid a lot of immigration-related headaches if we did.
LikeLike
“UCT Radio… the real alternative” Remember when that meant something?
LikeLike
Yup, although it usually meant “the alternative to good music” thanks to Randall and his cronies.
LikeLike
I just hope that as a country, the majority will learn to question our leaders and stop following blindly. I’m guessing, if that ever happens, it won’t be in the near future.
😦
LikeLike
The only ones who question the Powers That Be are the ones who want a place at the trough.
LikeLike
That’s so true of people and politics that it sent shivers up my spine. I hope I didn’t pop a disk.
LikeLike
You aren’t wearing a backless dress are you?
LikeLike
De-pressing matters, more like. Any chance that an uprising of the population would change the course of things? (Hey, i’m French! That’s how we do things over (t)here!)
LikeLike
I’ll speak to my neighbours. They’re from Cameroon. Hey, it’s a start at least.
LikeLike
Well, now I have a new reason not to play Sun City again.
LikeLike
Agreed. It’s the principle of the thing!
LikeLike
Wow, the corporatist takeover of government and establishment of the New World Order is going on in South Africa too? Huh.
LikeLike
If that’s code for “bottom-feeder opportunism”, then yes.
LikeLike
The sweet sound of the country being flushed down the crapper.
LikeLike
And we don’t even get to choose the pattern printed on the toilet paper.
LikeLike
That’s so incredibly sad and frightening. I made up a new word in its honor. It’s sindiblightening.
LikeLike
Wow, that’s awesomalacious.
LikeLike
You have THAT accent?! I’m excited!
LikeLike
I have WHAT accent? I’m confused.
LikeLike
*BLEEP*!!! *Bleep*-ing incredible isn’t it! Soon we’ll be *bleep*-ing Cuba with no *bleep*-ing access to the *bleep*-ing outside world.
LikeLike
Wikus, is that you?
LikeLike
Don’t be pointing your *bleep*-ing tentacles at me!
LikeLike
I’m not a fokken prawn!
LikeLike
South African!
LikeLike
That’s a little disturbing.
LikeLike
I’ll visit you in prison. Because I told you I’d visit, I just didn’t realize it would be conjugal.
LikeLike
But I thought you liked the handcuffs?
LikeLike