In an era where digital platforms both empower and constrain, former SABC Group Executive Phathiswa Magopeni urged South Africans to appreciate the dual-edged sword of freedom of expression.
Magopeni was the keynote speaker during the 14th annual Percy Qoboza Memorial Lecture, hosted by the National Press Club and Unisa on Wednesday night. The lecture commemorated Black Wednesday, recalling the oppressive actions taken against the press during apartheid on October 19, 1977.
The day is marked by the state’s brutal crackdown on The World and The Weekend World newspapers, which saw the arrest of Qoboza, a pivotal figure in journalism whose vigorous documentation of the apartheid regime’s injustices marked him as both a target and a brave truth-teller.
In an impassioned address, Magopeni highlighted the potential of today’s digital technologies to serve as catalysts for democracy, while also cautioning against the challenges they pose, including digital censorship and the erosion of fact in a sea of misinformation.
“At the heart of a journalist’s duty lies the obligation to the truth,” Magopeni asserted. She reminded the audience that established principles of journalism—namely, independence, verification, and a loyal commitment to civic duty—are essential in navigating a world increasingly muddled by corporate media’s influence and the pervasive nature of disinformation.
The panel of Media Development and Diversity Agency CEO ShoeShoe Qhu, Advocate Sipho Mantula from the Thabo Mbeki School of Leadership and International Affairs, and renowned journalist Hopewell Chin'ono further examined the hurdles journalists face today.
Magopeni spoke of the critical importance of global solidarity among movements advocating for justice, equality, and human rights in the wake of pressing international conflicts.
“Digital platforms create opportunities to foster international solidarity, connecting movements across borders in real-time,” Magopeni stated.
However, she countered this empowerment with the reality of governments around the world—democratic or otherwise—repressing free speech and stifling dissent through internet censorship and surveillance.
Drawing a parallel between Qoboza’s era and the current landscape, Magopeni warned of the dangers lurking in the form of misinformation, where the boundaries of truth become obscured. “This information disorder,” she cautioned, “undermines public trust in journalism, distorting freedom of expression and presenting grave challenges to democracy and justice.”
Furthermore, Magopeni spotlighted the chilling effect of corporate control over digital platforms, asserting that the concentration of power within a handful of tech giants has detrimental implications for democracy. “The profit-driven motivation of these companies can lead to selective silencing of harmful content while promoting others, often at the expense of truth,” she emphasised.
As the dialogue progressed, the issue of media sustainability emerged as a poignant concern. Magopeni underscored the dire consequences of dwindling news coverage and the emergence of news deserts due to a lack of resources.
She pointed to donor funding as a potential interim solution while also recognising the complications it introduces, often influencing media narratives through imposed constraints regardless of outward claims of editorial independence.
Magopeni laid bare her admiration for Qoboza, describing him as a figure driven by profound moral conviction and an unwavering belief in the power of truth. Her reflections on his legacy highlighted the intertwined nature of journalism and human rights, demonstrating how Qoboza recognised the press's role as a defender of humanity against oppressive forces.
"To do today what Qoboza accomplished as a journalist, risk and consequence notwithstanding, is to face formidable challenges,” Magopeni warned.
“His life and work exemplified that although armed with the threat of imprisonment, the enduring strength of truth could never be silenced.”
Pretoria News