GUPTAGATE: SA SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO MEDIA

Positive link for democracy and good governance

WHEN the Protection of State Information Bill was negotiated, the media was portrayed as a security threat to some of the state’s information and secrets.

The Gupta wedding scandal has revealed the other side of the media – that it can contribute significantly in ensuring that state secrets, national key points and the country’s resources and reputation are well managed.

The ministers linked to the Gupta landing at Waterkloof Air Force Base have unanimously denied any knowledge or involve- ment in the debacle.

The nation is only aware of that frightening and unforgettable embarrassment because of the media’s guts to safeguard the principles of the country’s democratic constitution and keep the citizens informed about their country’s decisions and actions.

The nation should be grateful to the media for discharging its constitutional mandate without fear, favour or prejudice.

One wonders how many of such scandals have happened in the past and how many are planned for the future.

It is now crystal clear that our democratic constitution needs a strong working relation between the state and the media on matters of national security, rule of law, development, peace, poverty and prosperity.

The media’s discovery and coverage of the Gupta debacle was more strong evidence to indicate a positive connection between democracy, a free and responsible media, effective communication and engagement, good political governance, sound corporative governance and participatory development.

The state and media need each other to deliver their constitutional mandates and responsibilities, namely public administration and information dissemination. The robust, love-hate relationship between government and the media is normal, common and expected, and requires effective relations management. Therefore, the state and media need to work hard to deliver on their national duties. They need to keep a symbiotic relationship.

The Gupta debacle has taught us that state resources and secrets should be protected at all costs and must never be compromised for either business or personal gains. The media’s constitutional mandate should never be undermined by political, economic or civic powers because, when it is lost, everyone will be a loser.

Khumalo is political and communications strategist