http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/naeemjeenah/2007/10/18/free-expression-means-nothing-if-its-limited-to-the-media/

Free expression means nothing if it's limited to the media

Na'eem Jeenah

Steven Friedman wrote a brilliant post, " The people our national debate does not see or hear". I began writing a comment in response to his post, but then realised it was too long and needed a post of its own.

Steven is absolutely correct. Too many of us who are involved in the media in some or other way think that democratic freedoms, particularly the right to free expression, is about the right to publish. And so the free-expression rights of poor communities are often treated by media people with the same attitude as they are treated by the authorities — as an irritant that needs to be gotten rid of or hidden away.