Pretoria – Communications Minister Faith Muthambi says successful and effective government communication is characterised by the free flow of information.
“We live by the values of transparency and accountability. We utilise the power of communication to serve the community, by informing, educating and providing open access to information,” the Minister said.
She was speaking at the 2015 World Communication Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.
She said before 1994, government was characterised by a culture of secrecy, disinformation and restrictions on press freedom, but two decades later, South Africans are living in a world that is unrecognizable from that of 20 years ago.
“The birth of our democracy in 1994 changed all this, and ushered in an era where government could no longer hide behind media restrictions and was for the first time fully accountable to the public.”
Minister Muthambi said social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have turned everyone into a reporter.
“Citizens are taking to social media sites to report, inform, debate, and discuss issues. Journalists are adapting to the new media and media houses are diversifying their print media platforms and entering the realm of cyberspace.
“Government is also actively engaging with these platforms to introduce policy and programmes and engage with citizens,” she said.
South Africans were exposed for the first time to the wider world and the looming technological revolution.
Twenty years ago the Internet, was gathering momentum as more and more users came online. Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook were still only a dream in the mind of developers.
Minister Muthambi said for information to be meaningful, it must be driven by independence, excellence and diversity, adding that this is indeed, a global challenge for public service media.
She said the question is how to remain relevant in a fast evolving world as well as how to be a trusted voice that acts with integrity; professionalism at all times, diverse and pluralist in its approach.
The Minister said another challenge faced by the public service media is how they remain relevant amidst a digital revolution.
“Our smart phones, tablets, laptops and notebooks have become ubiquitous. The information and communication dividend they provide is unparalleled, but so too is their impact on our privacy, society and the economy.
“This sea of change is being driven by social media and the power of the internet. Information sharing has become all pervasive; be it on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Skype or numerous other platforms,” she said.
Minister Muthambi said it is however, everyone’s task to ensure that this sea change is for the good of mankind. Throughout history whenever mankind has made progress it has come with challenges.
“The anonymity and overwhelming reach of the internet has fuelled online crime and abuse. Extremists, terror networks and criminals use the online world to further their aims.
“It is our task as governments and regulators to find a workable medium between the crucial need to ensure freedom of speech and expression, but also to safeguard society,” she said.
According to the Minister, governments, regulators, police, intelligence and security agencies need to be able to operate more effectively against online threats and abuse.
Many countries have implemented legislation that regulates the use of online and social media in the workplace, while others have implemented legislation that applies to online and social media issues between employers and employees in the workplace.
In South Africa, there is currently no legislation that deals specifically with online and social media.
However, there are Acts such as RICA, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act and the Protection of Personal Information Bill which will apply to online and social media.
Broadcasting for public enrichment
Minister Muthambi commended the public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), for transforming itself from “an apartheid mouthpiece prior to 1994” into “the voice for millions of South Africans”.
“The SABC has a strong radio and television presence in South Africa and has become the voice for millions. It also has begun to develop digital platforms to meet the changing needs of how audiences consume media today,” she said.
Given its history, Minister Muthambi said the SABC has placed trust at the centre of its relationship with audiences. She said the SABC continually strives to be the most credible and diverse national media broadcaster.
“Communication, especially public service media, must be transparent and work towards the common good. The content the SABC generates must do more than just entertain; it must inform and educate the public and adhere to the highest standards of moral integrity,” she said.
Digital migration
South Africa is also making strides towards switching from analogue to digital broadcasting, with Cabinet having recently approved the Broadcasting Digital Migration Amendment Policy.
Minister Muthambi described this as “a ground breaking step in the history of our nation and will open the world of communication to millions”.
“Our Digital Migration Policy will see the roll out of public service channels for youth, women and education and eGovernment services.”
Minister Muthambi said eGovernment services have the potential to unlock access to basic internet services and digital information for millions of South Africans. - SAnews.gov.za
