Friday, October 29, 2010

Projected outcomes of final project...

My thorts on which direction im going to take when it comes to the project.
   



I Have a Dream
by Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful conditions.

http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://www.delawareohrealestate.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2008-04-dr-martin-luther-king-jr.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.delawareohrealestate.com/2010/01/13/delaware-owu-celebrating-martin-luther-kings-birthday/&h=682&w=500&sz=59&tbnid=fefTvlEYMWzPLM:&tbnh=139&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmartin%2Bluther%2Bking&zoom=1&q=martin+luther+king&hl=en&usg=__FeGkhMr1dixRIcJwKFozwu6ynu0=&sa=X&ei=r9XKTKqMBYnMswadkqmoAQ&ved=0CDUQ9QEwBQ

Most educative man to date...

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

the newspaper article

Much has been said about the proposed protection of Information Bill (the Bill) that government wants to put in place. There has been a huge outcry from the general lay public, and politicians from opposition parties have also aired their distaste of the bill. The D.A has set up campaigns to rally against the Bill, with peaceful protests taking place and a petition containing over 28 000 signatures handed over to the government. Even Archbishop Desmond Tutu is in support of campaigns that oppose the Bill. But what effect will the proposed Bill have on academic freedom within South African universities? What do the academics of our country think about the Bill and its possible effects on academic freedom?

The core role of higher learning institutions is to carry out research, and present findings to fellow academics, the public and the government. But without clearly defined boundaries, students could land themselves in trouble for reporting on sensitive information with out even knowing that they are over stepping the mark as the bill does not clearly define what information is private and what is fit for public consumption – ok by why? You may want to refer to the Bill here to make it clearer. This is the biggest problem with the proposed Bill, is that no one is exactly sure on what information will be private and what will be fit for public consumption.

The general consensus among the various professors interviewed at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Howard college campus was inline with these sentiments. Rofhiwa F. Mukhundwana said that “The only problem is that the banner of the national interest as provided in the bill is too broad” and that “… one can never be certain of what information is protected and what is free to public access”.

What academic disciplines within the university will be directly affected cannot be fully predicted at the moment. One can only assume that students studying politics and current affairs will be affected according to David Spurrett a professor in the department of Philosohpy. Without clearly defined borders it is almost impossible to predict how far the Bill will affect current studies, and to what extent the Bill will impose self-censorship of students, especially those doing post-graduate research. Mukhundwana also cites that “… both academics and students may be denied valuable data necessary for academic knowledge and social innovation”.

Currently, students enjoy a great deal of academic freedom at this university, and if one looks into the archives and looks at the struggles of the past one will find that it was not long ago that students “had to smuggle around books and ideas that were banned under censorship laws” says Historian Julie Parle.

An interesting point brought up in the interview with Julie Parle is that the right to free speech and academic freedom are, however, not exercised fully by students. This is perhaps worrying as if this really is the case, then the limitation on access to information that the Bill will impose might not even have an effect on students if they are not fully practising their right to free speech and academic freedom in the first place. Is this a sign that the calibre of student is falling or that perhaps there is already some form of censorship in place preventing them from doing so. One can only speculate until a thorough investigation has taken place.

While the University prides itself on so called academic freedom and no academic censorship so to speak of, there have been a few cases recently that could give us an insight as to what it might be like if the Bill is to come into effect. Cases like those of Evan Mantzaris, Professor Nithaya Chetty and Fazel Khan could become the norm at UKZN and other South African Universities if the Bill is passed. In these cases, these former members of staff were fired for basically practising their right to freedom of speech and expression.

For example, their was much controversy after Nithaya Chetty and colleague John van den Berg, also accused of ‘bringing UKZN in disrepute’, published in the press and on the universities “change” listserve comments that “were critical of UKZN vice chancellor Malegapuru Makgoba’s alleged repeated attempts to block from the senate agenda a faculty of Science and Agriculture submission on academic freedom, which refers to a “prevailing culture of incivility and racial stereotyping that further impedes the free exchange of ideas” at the university.”[1]

Unfortunately with the implementation of the proposed Bill, cases like these might become the norm as whistleblowers get axed (and even sent to prison) for reporting on the inefficiencies of management in all spheres of government. Lets hope that this is not the case, and that government will find use in the Bill passed by former president Thabo Mbeki titled “The Promotion of Access to Information Act” which “spells out very clearly which circumstances allow the government to withhold certain classes of information from its citizens”[2].





References


1) http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=16644
http://www.fxi.org.za/content/view/30/1/
2) http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-10-12-we-need-to-know-what-our-government-is-up

http://www.abahlali.org/node/1117
http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=661
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-10-19-more-ignorance-than-resistance
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-09-18-zille-media-tribunal-a-tool-to-mask-corruption

Friday, October 15, 2010

interview

As i interview a lecturer of media studies Miss Rofhiwa F. Mukhudwana i noticed that she has a very good understanding of what academic freedom is in correlation to the protection of information bill. The interview is as follows: s table for a number of years under construction and reconstruction. The function of this law is to protect classified information in the national interest. The bill makes it a punishable offence (25 yrs in prison) for the media or anybody to possess or publish classified state information. As academics we are well aware that certain information should be protected from public access in order to preserve the dignity and the safety of the state. The only problem is that the banner of the national interest as provided in the bill is too broad. Thus one can never be certain of what information is protected and what is free to public access. t think the bill goes as far as to threaten this human right. There are still many avenues in which information can be solicited and obtained. There is still the Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000 which I believe stands to deter against the Protection of Information Bill. t foresee much academic censorship. Although the bill may reduce access to information, it is without doubt that once the information is accessed it will be used without self-censorship. .t think the bill will pass in parliament as it standsThere has been an immense public outcry, government will have to retreat. .
What are your views on the proposed bill?
The proposed Protection of Information Bill in not necessarily a new legislation. It has been on parliament
To what extent do you think the bill will affect academic freedom within South African universities?It definitely has a rather negative impact on academic freedom. If the bill passes as it stands, it would mean that any state official or parastatal may classify any information as inaccessible. In this case, university researchers, both academics and students may be denied valuable data necessary for academic knowledge and social innovation. Universities thrive on the ability to research and create knowledge and without which may be relegated into obscurity.
Do you think students at UKZN have academic freedom, and if not will the bill further compound this problem?Yes students currently enjoy academic freedom
How important do think it is for the growth of the human race to have free access to information in order for them to examine, disseminate and question for their own understanding and knowledge?The right to know is very important to humanity but I don
What do you believe are the implications of academic censorship if the bill is to come into effect?Universities are generally free from economical and political pressures so I don

Does this bill impose/enforce on academic freedom?
Impose

In your opinion, is the passing of this bill good/bad in terms of academic freedom?Totally unwelcome, but I don
What does academic freedom mean in correlation to the bill?The ability to achieve and impart knowledge freely and responsibly

This interview shared some light to the unanswered questions i have on academic freedom in Howard College.
   Miss Rofhiwa F. Mukhudwana
 

Monday, October 11, 2010

TABLOIDS

The kinds of headlines we all love to see and talk about are sad.
Many people, including me, buy newspapers and magazines for the fun of reading
about public figuers lifes.
The stories we read is not always important or relatively true but it is ebntetrtaining,
it brigs about feelings and emotions.
the Gossip
Justin Bieber To Launch A Line Of Nail Polish
it is just for human nature to get entertained, as studies show us.

HEADLINES

Thursday, September 30, 2010

HISTORY!!

What people did in the past...


The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is one of the

most horrendous examples of research carried out

in disregard of basic ethical principles of conduct.

The publicity surrounding the study was one

of the major influences leading to the

codification of protection for human subjects.


The horrific things doctors did. Without the consent of anyone...

The tests were done without their informed consent.

Its amazing how when you think about it,

a serious issue as to how people found it so easy to do such a thing to another human!!!

LETS ALL LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

THE FEELING THE FILM BRINGS ABOUT...

I say its Goodnight and Goodbye in the way I view it, its like when one says goodnight they are usually sleeping and letting their brain review all that has happened. in their life's at present. The movie title moves me in the thoughts about how we all don't know if we are going to wake-up or not. It gets us as to knowing that no one is for sure as to the future. No one can predict the future!!!!
GOODNIGHT AND GOOD LUCK

Friday, September 17, 2010

The film...

Good nite and goodbye is a very eye opening film because for me it opened a new way of seeing the past.. the things i never thought of. What Edward risked for exposing the truth and nothing else but the truth...This film debates the political vuiews of all the members of the telvision programme...They question the political veiws of the communist members...

Everyone was questioned because of the cold War...They also bring about the questions of marring within the organization, it was prohibited which makes me think about the many restrictions.. What women did for love and how emothions controlled our action...


Good nite and Goodbye

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Happiness n Pain!!!

Id like you to think back to the very first time we met,
How you felt around me?The memories we shared
And just remember that once apon a time, you cared

The pain was deep, unbearable and painful, for so many years
I'll never forget all the sadness, all the uncontrollable tears,
Slowly I am rebuilding my life, I am happy with what I've got
And although it is hard. I am beginning to forget what I have not!

You were my first true love, that will always be so
After all the heartache, sadness and never ending pain
I know you and I had something special and that will never change,
Because I love you and loving someone else will always seem strange

I know I promised I'd never make you cry
I know it hurts but please dry your eyes..

Dedicated to women kind...

Thursday, September 2, 2010

WOMAN!!!

When a woman loves...
                        When a woman loves
                        she loves for real
                        she takes you back after you break her heart
                        after a thousand times.
                        She gives her life to you
                        with no regrets she follows you. 

She fills souls with her bare hands...
                       Sometimes she hates,
                       Sometimes she loves.
                       Sometimes she waits,
                       for him to change his ways
                       but yet again he never does.

                           

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Life!

Life is too short not to make exceptions to the things that make you smile...Break the rules...Forgive and Forget...Love one another...Laught uncontrollably...Open your heart...Stop wondering if it will ever change...Another breath inhaled, another day survived...Is it all worth it???

Friday, August 20, 2010

why don't we listen...

the most expensive car

What will it take for us to leave...Is it until we are beaten up so much that we cannot breath.We see the money, the designer labels they wear, the car's and the house they have but what we really don't know is what does he really have.They say because he/she has it all they are perfect.Temptations will always be there but what is worth being treasured is ones life.Life might be hard but its is not worth the temptations.


Take Care(xoxo)