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'If you dish it out, you must take it too'
Tendayi Sithole, The Sowetan
May 08, 2008

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=763012

"There is no crisis in Zimbabwe"; "Police must shoot to kill the bastard when their lives are threatened". Should politicians not receive criticism when statements like these are made in the public arena?

Since politicians also have a right to criticize, they should be criticized too. Yet it is strange to see how those in power treat criticism as something foreign, as if it-s not part of democracy itself.

We have witnessed events where critical voices are treated with disgust and people are marginalized and regarded as not being loyal to this fragile democracy.

Critical voices should not be diminished for the sake of serving the interests of those in power.

Individuals, groups and institutions should consistently fight and protect their right to air their controversial voices, whether they are black or white.

It is shallow for most politicians and public servants to assume that criticism only comes from "liberal whites". Even blacks too have a right to speak truth to power, or must they be "yes men"?

It should be made clear that critical voices cut across racial lines. They contain independent thinking that should not be limited by political interests that are self-serving.

Self-censorship will set in if those who hold different views fear to express them freely and openly.

"Thought control" should be feared at all costs because it is precisely such that will create an ignorant public.

To build a strong political culture there must be a diversity of voices, which will help to make the government accountable to the people.

Building a political culture that is based on democratic values requires citizens to be participatory. For there to be such a participatory culture, understanding and tolerance should prevail. There must be a dialogue between government, individuals, groups and institutions.

Such a dialogue does not mean that there won-t be any disagreement among those involved.

Dissenting voices help to scrutinize government policies. It is of great significance that the public clearly knows the context in which these policies are made. If such policies have loopholes, they must be debated or criticized, so that they can be changed or removed from the policy-making agenda.

Public trust that is entrusted upon politicians belongs to the public. And if democracy is indeed the "government by the people, for the people", then it should follow that the government be held accountable by the people and through various mechanisms, such as the media.

We absolutely need media practitioners, commentators and columnists who will stand their ground at all costs and from across the racial barrier. They should be bold, outspoken and should welcome criticism as it is part and parcel of democratic society.

So let-s fight and protect this young democracy by creating and guarding the space for dissenting voices.

This kind of culture would ensure transparency and accountability.

Politicians belong to the public, therefore it is in the public interest to know their conduct. They must be called to order if they misstep.

*Tendayi Sithole is interning at the Freedom of Expression Institute and he writes in his personal capacity.

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