Empower women with legal knowledge to take forward
WHEN delivering a keynote address at the annual Unisa media conference, Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo highlighted important roles the media should play in building a better South Africa.
She said the media must ensure that citizens make responsible and informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation.
“Media stories must contribute to our development by allowing South Africans to make better decisions or take advantage of opportunities,” she said.
As it is Women’s Month, a time of introspection and action in the midst of abuse and attacks on women and children, the public needs reliable information so they can know what is happening around them as their survival may depend on it.
The provision of independent and reliable information can go a long way towards helping in managing conflict and promoting democratic principles.
During high publicity court cases, for instance, the media are often accused of provoking an atmosphere of public hysteria by underlining the rights of those aggrieved while overlooking the rights of the accused.
Think of the advocate who was assaulted by a mob in Mpumalanga as they could not understand how he could represent suspected child killers.
This is rife in most criminal matters, where the idea of justice being extended to all seems unpalatable in light of growing frustrations at the high rate of crime against women. Free and independent media become essential to expose wrongs.
If we are to deal with structural inequalities, then justice must be made more accessible. Access to justice unlocks rights enshrined in the constitution.
As we commemorate the brave women of 1956,the media must not only highlight the plight of women, but also empower them with information. Access to legal aid in family law matters, for instance, is a key factor to achieving women’s equality in South Africa.
We have a highly developed legal aid system. Take advantage of this – place legal education far higher on the news agenda. Braamfontein