Flash
News!!

Mass media encompasses newspapers, magazines, radio, television, cinema, billboards, mail, telephone, fax and the internet. It is a significant force in the world today and is as essential as our daily needs. As an adjunct to democracy, its role in creating and shaping of public opinion and strengthening of society cannot be emphasised enough. It acts as a watchdog to protect public interest against malpractice and create public awareness. Recent events in our country of exposé of corruption and State Capture bear testimony to this doctrine.

The technological marvel of the digital media in a borderless cyber world has made quantum leaps where even the President of the most powerful nation on earth can communicate in real time to a layman on another continent. However, the downside is that truth is still far too often a casualty as social media allows the posting of propaganda directly for public consumption without the filter of the editorial integrity of traditional media. While social media is the megaphone of the global village one has to guard against its use by the “village idiot”.

This absence of editorial integrity allowed a wayward Pastor Van Wyk, a self-proclaimed ‘prophet’ who arrogated to speak for 97% of the population to launch a vitriolic attack on the Muslim community. He stated the blatant falsehood on social media and on an Islamic radio station or two that fees from Halaal certification is used to fund terrorism worldwide. This was not only inaccurate but highly defamatory and fomented hate speech.

We are not cowed by this scurrilous and spurious attack by the Pastor as legal action as well as reporting the matter to the Human Rights Commission is being pursued. We have encountered similar malicious attacks in the past by such extremist fringe groups which have been comprehensively dealt with - click here to view: http://www.sanha.org.za/flashnews/2018/flashn123.html.

The pastor seems to rely on the well-worn propaganda maxim of "A lie repeated often enough becomes accepted truth" whilst conveniently ignoring the words of Jesus (peace be upon him) as recorded in John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

By Divine coincidence, SANHA will be hosting its Annual General Meeting this Sunday where in keeping with our proud tradition of transparency and openness, we present our reports including our audited financial statement to the public and the media.

We extend an invitation to one and all and look forward to welcoming you.