Media Appeals Tribunal

The Polokwane Conference held in 2007 by the African National Congress not only was where they re-called (I prefer dethrone) the then-president Thabo Mbeki from high office but was where the illustrious media industry was plotted as to how they’ll gain control of.

Never before since democracy has the media industry faced a threat and a possible gag. According to the ruling party they have had it with the print media per se which unlike its sibling (broadcasting) is less regulated and have rendered the Ombudsman ineffective.

A ruling on the protection of information bill will be debated in parliament however these are some of the things the ruling party have to make crystal:

-          ANC have to prove how parliament application to the tribunal would be fair, considering that parliament was dominated by them,

-          Press Ombudsman was biased in his rulings;

-          How many citizens had complaints regarding media appeal decisions

ANC had documents that South Africa was aware of unregulated power and unbridled capitalism by few media companies. If the law is introduced it would adjudicate complaints from citizens between media publications.

It’s a tug of war where press freedom is jeopardized and could come to an end in favor of protection of information for the individual as the ruling party believes this will be in the public interest.