Top marks to South Africa’s Chief Justice Pius Langa for coming in to bat for the independence of the media and the important role the judiciary can play in this regard.
Last Sunday he said that the judiciary should “jealously protect” the media and their right to free expression, because both the media and the judiciary are critical to the country: they play a central role in keeping our government in check and holding it accountable for the exercise of its mighty powers.
In his typically modest fashion, Judge Langa also admitted that judges, though they try very hard to deliver justice in an imperfect world, are also imperfect creatures and therefore need critical media that are not overly respectful.
Against a backdrop of renewed efforts by the ANC post-Polokwane to place checks on the media (through the suggested tribunal) and controls on the judiciary (through the minister’s powers under the Superior Courts Bill), the chief justice’s comments are timeous and most welcome.
While the chief justice normally prefers to work behind the scenes to protect the independence of the judiciary — as he did when the Superior Courts Bill was first published a couple of years ago — the fact that he has gone public is perhaps a measure of his concern about the new perceived threats!
With a champion like the chief justice there is some hope for the media and the judiciary that the ANC’s renewed attempts at control may be thwarted.
More strength to your elbow, Chief Justice Langa!
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