Freedom celebrated on National Media Freedom Day, Right2Know week

Media Freedom, Media Reform

The Journalism Programme of Wits University, in partnership with the International School of Transparency, UCT; South African Editors Forum; the Open Democracy Advice Centre and the Embassy Of Sweden is hosting a seminar on Media Freedom, Media Reform at 5.00pm 2pm-5pm on 19 October at the Chalsty Centre, Wits University.

The seminar will feature as the keynote speaker Olle Wästberg, former Swedish MP and deputy minister of finance, who will also be the respondent to the two panel discussions. The two chairs will be Prof Franz Kruger, Adj Professor at Wits University and Prof Richard Calland, associate professor, UCT and co-director: International School for Transparency

Panel One: Media Freedom

• Dr. Essop Pahad, Former Minister in Presidency; editor-in-chief, The Thinker
• Nic Dawes, editor-in-chief, Mail & Guardian
• Mondli Makhanya, Chairman, South African National Editors Forum
• Eusebius McKaiser, Analyst and columnist

Panel Two: Media Reform

• Lumko Mtimde, CEO of Media Development and Diversity Agency (TBC)
• Prof Pippa Green, Author and journalist (TBC)
• Lauren Hutton, Analyst, Institute of Security Studies

Online campaign for openness

The Right2Know campaign's Week of Action from 19-27 October 2010 urges citizens to send a clear message to the South African government, Stop the Secrecy Bill! Let the Truth Be Told!

It states that the Secrecy Bill (the Protection of Information Bill) currently before Parliament threatens the gains of South Africans' struggle for freedom and a responsive and accountable democracy that can meet the basic needs of people is built upon transparency and the free flow of information.

This bill fundamentally undermines the struggle for whistleblower protection and access to information. It is one of a number of proposed measures, which could have the combined effect of fundamentally undermining the right to access information and the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution.

Action steps

• Show your support for the Right2Know. Sign the statement at www.right2know.org.za or SMS "R2K", followed by your name and town/city to 32759;
• Organise public meetings, workshops, pickets or protests during the Week of Action. Invite a representative of the Right2Know to speak at your event;
• Contact a Member of Parliament and tell them your concerns. The chair of the committee is Cecil Burgess - you can call him on +27 (0)21 403 2911 or email him at az.vog.tnemailrap@ssegrubc
• Write a letter to your local paper or call into talk radio explaining your concerns about the bill;

Events

• Gauteng: March to Constitution Hill Tuesday 19 October, 12h00 (commemorating Black Wednesday), gathering outside Senate House, Wits Jorissen Street, Braamfontein.
• KwaZulu-Natal: March to City Hall Thursday 27 October, 8h00 Gathering at Botha's Garden, Durban.
• Western Cape: March to Parliament Thursday 27 October, 09h30 Gathering in Kaizersgracht Street, Cape Town

Stay connected through:

• Facebook: Right 2 Know Campaign
• Twitter: @r2kcampaign
• Campaign's discussion group: http://groups.google.com/group/InfoAccessNow
• Website: www.right2know.org.za

Corrected at 11.29 on 19 October 2010.