Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2006-01-27 Reporter: Luphumzo Kebeni Reporter:

Parliament's Rules Apply to Jacob Zuma Too

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2006-01-27

Reporter

 Luphumzo Kebeni

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Letters

It is quite disturbing and alarming that some sections of our media and advocacy groups have slated parliament for inviting to the state-of-the-nation address a former deputy president who happens to be facing criminal charges.

Parliament has a set of rules and protocols, which guides its decisions and actions on any matter.

For example, FW de Klerk is being invited to the occasion in his capacity as the former deputy president of the democratic South Africa.

The same status is accorded to former deputy president Jacob Zuma. This would have applied even if, hypothetically speaking, Mr De Klerk was facing charges of mass murder for the death of civilians and freedom fighters in South Africa and Namibia during his tenure in the apartheid years.

Since when does the principle of innocent until proven guilty by a court of law cease to apply to Mr Zuma? The ignorance, whether deliberate or genuine, displayed by sections of our media and advocacy groups on simple matters of parliamentary protocol related to the determination of invitations to guests is an indication of the kind of thinking that permeates newsrooms and boardrooms.

It seems the old notion that "if you tell a lie 100 times, it ultimately becomes the truth" in the public opinion, has engulfed some media and advocacy groups.

No matter how carefully you explain the truth and facts, there are those who will still display a total disregard for accuracy, facts and the principle of hearing the other side.

While seeking to portray themselves as watchdogs of society, these media and advocacy groups have wittingly or unwittingly become "amplifiers and loudspeakers" of political parties, with little regard for objectivity.

It is very rare today to distinguish between the latter and the former on any matter of public opinion. Have they been so overwhelmed by electioneering that reasoning has become secondary and party-political propaganda so primary? If they are not lackeys of political parties, as they claim, only God knows what their role is in the new democratic dispensation.

Luphumzo Kebeni
Manager: Media Relations
Parliament

With acknowledgements to Luphumzo Kebeni and Cape Argus.


A letter quite underwhelming in respect of any logic and reason.