Ramaphosa lauds SA media for Covid-19 coverage
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa lauded South Africa’s media industry yesterday, saying it did not just play its traditional watchdog role during the Covid-19 pandemic, but exercised its civic duty in supporting the national effort to contain the novel coronavirus.
Ramaphosa’s weekly newsletter was dedicated to the role the media has been playing in informing South Africans about the virus, debunking fake news and myths, and exposing corruption.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to South Africa’s hardworking and tenacious journalists. They have kept our people informed by disseminating key health messages about social distancing and hygiene. They have done so under extremely trying conditions, often with limited resources.
“They have told the stories of the effects of lockdown on the lives of people and their businesses. They have been out in the villages, towns and cities, bringing stories of ordinary people and drawing national attention to problems being experienced in hospitals and clinics, prompting government action. “Our media have also shone a light on excesses that perhaps would not have ordinarily come to light. They have fulfilled their watchdog role by unearthing acts of corruption and maladministration, sparking a massive national debate and leading to a number of high-profile investigations,” Ramaphosa said. The president said despite the unprecedented nature of the disease and the immense challenge of placing a country of 58 million people under lockdown, the country has fared well.–