Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has announced that government will establish a platform whereby media and government can share ideas on various issues.
“We are establishing a Presidential Communication and Media Working Group which should be able to provide a platform for the sharing of ideas between government and the sector on any issue.
“There is a lot we can discuss, from media diversity and transformation to how the media industry can contribute to the attainment of the five percent growth target by 2019,” said the President.
President Zuma hosted media executives and owners, editors, political and economic journalists from South Africa and abroad at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse on Sunday for the commemoration of Black Wednesday.
On 19 October 1977 the apartheid regime clamped down on the media, banning the World and Weekend World newspapers and intensifying harassment and the arrest of journalists who were fighting for freedom, justice and equality. The day is commemorated as Black Wednesday.
President Zuma congratulated and thanked all members of the media who have contributed to the consolidation of democracy and the building of a new united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa in the past 20 years.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of freedom, particularly freedom of expression in this country,” he said.
President Zuma said government looked forward to continuing engagement with the media as it continues with its reconstruction and development tasks.
“In this landmark year of 20 Years of Freedom, let us rededicate ourselves to working together to promote the right of the public to information.”
Sunday’s event was also convened to celebrate South Africa's Media Freedom Day. – SAnews.gov.za
