The interaction will, without doubt, be of value to the President and hopefully to members of the Advisory Board. I should like to thank you, Sir Anthony O-reilly, for the opportunity to say a few words at this banquet, and I hope that you will permit me a frank appraisal of some of the issues that are topical and require comment or attention. As the Minister charged with responsibility for the Government Communication and Information System, I have some thoughts about issues that arise concerning the media. It goes without saying that the Government accepts without question that the various branches of the media stand independently in society as permanent and indispensably important institutions, in good and in bad times for the country and the media. It is also accepted that the media should advance the freedoms that ordinary citizens enjoy as of right.
Society therefore has a very real interest in media longevity in sound health.
Government and media are, in reality, two different sides of the same coin, both fighters in the public interest. They stand apart, but there is no reason why they should not work constructively together in the national interest, while showing due respect for one another's independence. From the point of view of the GCIS and myself, we shall pursue all avenues to continue with this constructive engagement, and to seize all opportunities available to improve this relationship. While appreciating that this is not the occasion for an extended discussion on media matters, I would note some general points. First, it must be noted with emphasis that we have a democratic, sovereign constitution in South Africa, and a Constitutional Court to interpret and uphold it, and one of the key entrenched clauses of that constitution is the one guaranteeing free expression.