Media Freedom Week

It's National Media Freedom Week, and the Right2Know campaign is springboarding its Week of Action from 19-27 October, urging citizens to send a clear message to the South African government to "Stop the Secrecy Bill! Let the Truth Be Told!"

On the bizcommunity.com site, 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 cburgess@parliament.gov.za
• Write a letter to your local paper or call into talk radio explaining your concerns about the bill;
• Stay in touch:
• Facebook: Right 2 Know Campaign
• Twitter: @r2kcampaign
• Campaign's discussion group: http://groups.google.com/group/InfoAccessNow
• Website: www.right2know.org.za

So what is the Protection of Information Bill? Do some research and find out what it's all about. What do you think? What happens to the power of the media if access to information is restricted?