Of Chihuahua’s, posturing and non consequence: By Moremogolo

The Forum for Black Journalists is creating quite a storm in a tea cup. For the first time we see the Human Rights Commission threatening legal action against a public or private institution. I’ve never heard the HRC threatening to take government to court for failing to implement its hundreds of recommendations on the protection and enforcement of socio-economic rights of the poor and the vulnerable in society. The many hearings and the recommendations that the HRC have held are gathering dust in some attic without any threat of enforcement. I agree, for once, with Xolela Mangcu when he says that the exchange between the HRC and FBJ is a side show that has nothing to do with reality. The HRC should show its teeth first taking government to court on failure to implement its many recommendations. They should stop threatening a body that is of no consequence.

There may be an argument for the need of an FBJ but the way they went about it was just laughable and plainly stupid. By holding an off the record briefing with ANC president Jacob Zuma, he who have been a “victim” of such an exercise, was a wrong premise to move from. I bet you they learnt nothing new from this briefing. Now they want to compare themselves to the Black Lawyers Association, Black Management Forum and the like. They should go back to the drawing board and learn from these organisations and conceptualize the need for the existence of their organisation better.

The majority of the editors within the media are Black and they were part of a similar but defunct forum. They have been cold to the need of such a body, why? Are these Black editors lackeys and are they not addressing the conditions of Black journalists in their organisations? What has changed/not changed with their assumption of editorialship in these media establishments? Has there been no real transformation with the assumption of duty of these editors? What areas of concern does the FBJ want to address? These are some of the questions that the FBJ should have addressed and convinced the public that they have considered and as a result have seen the need for such a body. Hell, Abbey Makoe is an editor within the SABC, is he just a stooge.

There is a lot that needs to be done in terms of Black advancement in all sectors of society but the ill conceived organisations such as the FBJ sets back the agenda and serves as ammunition for people who do not see the need for the existence of your BLA, BMF and the like.

And as for the HRC I did not know that they had a bite. There are many serious cases that they could show their effectiveness in. Many cases of abuse and racism have been reported to them and they have done absolutely nothing except public posturing, which I must admit they are good at.