Banning journalists allows corruption to thrive
Many ministers in our country - and their spokespeople - would love the media to leave them alone.
The ban on certain journalists covering the White House, imposed by President Donald Trump, has raised concerns among politicians and civil servants. They argue that this move aligns with their desire for the media to stay out of their affairs. The news organizations are challenging the legality of the ban, claiming it infringes on the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, including the right to report on the executive branch.
In South Africa, the principle is similar: government officials are employed by the citizens and are obligated to be transparent about their actions and expenditures. However, there is a growing perception that government spokespeople are beginning to believe they are above the law, and even beyond the scrutiny of the media. This attitude, coupled with a lack of transparency, creates an environment where corruption can flourish unchecked.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
