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Use social media responsibly, advises Deputy Minister John Jeffery

11 July 2022 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Supplied

Freedom of expression discussion — From the left: Dr. Annelie De Man (Coordinator - advocacy division - Free State Centre for Human Rights), Deputy Minister John Jefferey, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Martie Bloem ( Private Law Lecturer, Faculty of Law), Tshepang Mahlatsi (Student Assistant - Advocacy division) and Prof Danie Brand (The Director of the Free State Centre for Human Rights).

According to the international market and consumer data company Statista’s June 2022 data, more than 4,6 billion people worldwide are using social media; this is an increase of 1 billion people compared to the total users in 2020.

Delivering his lecture on ‘Social Media, Freedom of Expression, and the Law’ on the University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus on 30 May 2022, John Jeffery, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, said, “The power of social media lies in the sheer magnitude of the number of people using it.”

He said: “Section 16 of the South African Constitution provides that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom of the press and other media; freedom to receive or impart information or ideas; freedom of artistic creativity; and academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.”

He advised perpetrators of malicious social media posts about the consequences and the harm to persons who are victims.

Depending on the circumstances, a person who suffers harm because of being the subject of someone else’s social media posts, can be protected under the Protection from Harassment Act. According to the Act, this is due to mental, psychological, physical, or economic harm.

Speaking at the Odeion School of Music, Deputy Minister Jeffery said, “Social media brings with it the importance of responsible use. As a social media user, you are entirely responsible for whatever appears on your social media accounts.’

He said: “Whatever you do in life – your conduct and your words – can be put onto various platforms and they will be there for a very long time. Do better, be better – and use social media to inspire people, to have an impact on the world, and to make it a better place.”

News Archive

UFS and DRC Free State sign cooperation agreement

2013-11-27

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently signed a cooperation agreement for a period of five years with the DRC Free State. In this contract it is agreed that the university will offer theological training to DRC ministers.

With this agreement, the DRC Free State confirmed that the theological training currently offered by the Faculty of Theology meets the requirements and expectations of the church in such a way that her ministers can be trained within this context and ethos of the UFS. The Faculty of Theology believes that church involvement in the training of students of the DRC FS (as with all other churches), as well as the spiritual formation and guidance of those students, are important during their training and should be retained.

According to Prof Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic, the Faculty of Theology at the UFS is the only institution in Central South Africa that offers complete and comprehensive theological training.

“As the youngest of the faculties at the UFS, this faculty has developed a lot in a relatively short time and is firmly established on many levels. The faculty currently offers training in all theological disciplines, from undergraduate to PhD level,” says Prof Hay.

The Faculty of Theology offers a unique national and international contribution to the development of the church, society and academic theological environment. This is made possible through quality theological training and specialist research based on a framework of classical theological training and research.

The new cooperation agreement that was signed acknowledges the uniqueness and independance of both the DRC in the Free State and the Faculty of Theology as public institutions, and strives to serve the interests of both institutions best.

According to Prof Fanie Snyman, acting Dean of the Faculty of Theology, this new agreement proves that the UFS is not only training students academically, but is also concerned with the human aspect of its students.

“It is a privilege for the university to be associated and work together with the DRC in this way,” says Prof Hay. Rev Jan Lubbe, Moderator of the DRC Free State, also indicated that he is very positive and excited about the new agreement.

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