Governments all over the world have their share of corruption and ineptitude.

The news flow in South Africa though, paints a picture of a government that is rotten with corruption. Headlines constantly read of millions, even billions, squandered and stolen while delivery remains mediocre.

And its precisely that voice of the press that is now the target of lawmakers, who are poised today to pass the most disgraceful self-serving piece of law our country has seen since the end of apartheid.

With no higher body in the land, our government is only really held accountable by the journalists that bring information to the rest of the country and the world. It’s an essential mechanism for any healthy democracy.

Today has been marked as Black Tuesday as the ANC have ordered all of their 264 Members of Parliament to the National Assembly to ensure the ‘Protection of State Information Bill’ is passed.

The bill controversially has no public interest clause. This clause would have protected people for sharing classified information if it was in the public interest.

Also called the Secrecy Bill, it will give the government, in a country riddled with corruption, a legal shroud to limit their accountability and even persecute journalists and others trying to bring information to light. It’s a real step toward a ‘security state’.

Our country has already endured one security state and fought bitterly for democracy. Many people lost their lives to afford us the constitution we have today. A constitution hailed as one of the most progressive in the world.

There are few causes I really feel strongly about, and I wouldn’t call myself an activist, but history teaches that almost all of the world’s terrible regimes protect information to protect themselves.  It’s a precursor to oppression.

It’s the citizens together that make up the highest body in the land.

When a government fails to protect its people, it becomes the citizens’ job to take action. Even more so, when the government is the threat, the situation requires people to step out of their complacency and take action.

Now, people all over the country are protesting and acting to derail the bill.

Join me and those apposing the bill before it becomes law. If it’s passed in the National Assembly, the bill must still pass in the National Council of Provinces and I believe it may be taken to the constitutional court.
Take action! Together people’s voices sway committees, governments and laws.

If you’re more adventurous protest but at least tell your friends, collogues and family, bring it up and stand against the bill.

Join the Right2Know Campaign.