South African business should take seriously President Zuma's invitation to an open debate about the role of the media and its alignment with the Constitution. Pick n Pay recognizes that there is a close link between economic and political freedom. The economic freedom on which business depends flourishes best when citizens are able to rely on an unfettered flow of information that is free from excessive government control and regulation.

To the extent that the Protection of Information Bill and the proposed media appeals tribunal threaten that freedom, all sectors of South African society are justified in opposing them. The business sector should not believe itself exempt from this duty of responsible citizenship, and we thus have no hesitation in adding our voices to those who have expressed their misgivings about the consequences of the governing party's proposals.

All the historical evidence speaks unambiguously on the relation between political freedom and a free market. An open society is one in which Government is responsive and tolerant, and political mechanisms are transparent and flexible, in which political leaders can be replaced without the need for bloodshed, and in which the rule of law, property rights and freedom of economic initiative are guaranteed.

And history has taught us that throughout the world, nations with more economic freedom are wealthier than nations with less economic freedom. There are no wealthy nations that have little economic freedom.

For those reasons, any attempt by Government to restrict the free flow of information or to circumscribe the liberty of the media should be opposed.

There is no doubt that the South Africa of today is a far, far better place than it was before 1994. We live in a country that is governed not by the unchallengeable dictates of cabinet ministers or security chiefs, but by the entrenched principles of a progressive constitution which binds Parliament and citizen alike to a judiciable bill of rights, a free press and an independent judiciary.

That South Africa has escaped its past and has launched herself on a road to prosperity and human rights should, of course, be a matter of great pride. But those ethical sensitivities which drove us onwards in the days of apartheid cannot be allowed to slumber contentedly now that liberation has come. We are still a society profoundly troubled by inequality, corruption and want - and these challenges need to be thoroughly aired and openly debated if we are to overcome them.

Over its history, Pick n Pay has had its own conflicts with the press and we have at times felt aggrieved at its coverage of our affairs. But we have never lost sight of the fact that the media play an indispensible and valuable role in monitoring the conduct and standards of business and that, however irksome this may occasionally be, that role should never be suppressed or intimidated.  We have always found the media willing to correct that which was incorrect, and treat us fairly if we could prove otherwise.

In light of President Zuma's very public invitation for dialogue on this issue, it should be of concern to the business community that any perceived limitation on media freedom will be negatively viewed by the international markets on which we rely for investment and confidence. The positive sentiment generated by the World Cup and the consideration that international business is giving to investing in South Africa makes this all the more important. Our President, accompanied by senior business leaders, is actively courting foreign investment to improve our economy and create jobs, and for this he needs to be both acknowledged and strongly supported.

Foreign investors require the assurance that we are serious about combating corruption and waste, that government affairs are transparent and accountable, and that information is readily available and reliable. In the absence of these features, South Africa's reputation as a destination for foreign investment will suffer, as will our reputation as a state that is governed by the rules of openness and accessibility. 

Any erosion of our open society, now that we have achieved it, will only impede economic growth and national prosperity. To remain passive in the face of such erosion is to acquiesce in it - and such acquiescence does not accord with what we understand to be the duty of every South African businessperson who aspires to ethical conduct.

Too often in the past, business was accused of silence in moments of national crisis, as it rebelled against the notion of rocking the boat and was fearful of confronting a government on which it relied for many of its privileges. In an open society, that option is no longer defensible and the business community cannot compromise the principle that political liberty is a necessary condition for economic freedom.

Statement issued by Gareth Ackerman, chairman of Pick n Pay Stores limited, August 18 2010

Source: Moneyweb.co.za

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