Ramaphosa warns newsroom losses weaken democracy

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and leader of the African National Congress (ANC), has raised concerns over the impact of newsroom job cuts and the closure of community publications on democratic accountability. Speaking at a Black Wednesday commemoration in Sandton on Monday, Ramaphosa emphasized that media freedom relies on journalists having the necessary resources and independence to hold those in power accountable. He called for continued collaboration among government, businesses, news organizations, and digital platforms to address the financial strains faced by journalism. Any form of support, he stressed, must ensure editorial independence, stating that a news organization's survival should not hinge on whether its reporting pleases its funders. The event marked 49 years since the apartheid regime's crackdown on the press on 19 October 1977, when several publications were banned and journalists were detained. Ramaphosa acknowledged the vital role played by journalists and independent publications during the liberation struggle, highlighting their efforts to challenge official propaganda and reveal injustices despite censorship, intimidation, and detention. He reiterated that press freedom belongs to the public and is not a privilege bestowed by political leaders. Ramaphosa stated that a truly free press is one that is not afraid to criticize the government, expose its shortcomings, and make those in power uncomfortable. He argued that disagreement with journalistic reports or editorial judgments should not be grounds for undermining media independence. Constitutional protections, he said, are inadequate if newsrooms lack the resources, capacity, and independence needed to fulfill their roles effectively. He pointed to the shift in advertising revenue from traditional news organizations to large digital platforms, the loss of experienced journalists, and the struggles faced by community and African language publications. The closure of local outlets, he explained, deprives communities of essential information regarding municipal decisions, public spending, and service failures, thereby diminishing their ability to demand accountability from elected officials. “A community loses its voice when this happens, and when communities lose their voices, democracy itself is weakened,” Ramaphosa remarked. In tandem with Ramaphosa's comments, the Press Council of South Africa called for clear, consistent standards to govern the transparent and equitable distribution of state advertising. The council urged support for community and local media to strengthen their independence. Ramaphosa also condemned threats, harassment, and online abuse directed at journalists, emphasizing that political leaders must actively oppose such intimidation, even when those behind it claim to support their causes. He warned that artificial intelligence poses additional risks to public trust by facilitating the creation of convincing images, imitation of voices, and production of videos depicting events that never occurred. False information can spread rapidly before corrections emerge, potentially causing irreversible harm. This manipulation is especially perilous during elections, where it can exacerbate societal divisions and skew voters' choices. While AI offers journalists tools for analysis, translation, and reaching broader audiences, its misuse underscores the necessity of reliable reporting. Ramaphosa also addressed the issue of social media, suggesting that South Africa might need to consider restrictions on these platforms due to the proliferation of harmful misinformation. He referenced the UK and Australia as examples of nations exploring limitations on children's access to social media. Citing the July 2021 unrest, during which social media was used to incite violence resulting in over 350 deaths and substantial economic damage, Ramaphosa highlighted the potential dangers posed by such platforms. He dismissed a viral social media story alleging that the ANC was mobilizing asylum seekers to vote for the party, calling it baseless and non-existent.