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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 becomes Varsity Netball champions – again

2014-10-21

Photo: Catherine Kotze, SASPA

Kovsies has become the first team to successfully defend the Varstiy Netball title when they beat Tuks 49-42 in the 2014 final in Pretoria on Monday 20 October.

University of Pretoria (Tuks) might have been unbeaten for the entire 2014 tournament, but this did not hinder Kovsies in becoming the Varsity Netball champions for a second consecutive time.

From the outset, both these furiously focused teams fought hard and only after ample turnovers could Kovsies finally manage to open the score board.

The Mostert sisters, Karla and Tanya, won a couple of crucial balls, leaving the UFS dominating possession in the opening exchanges.

When Tuks eventually got to scoring, they could not stop the UFS from rushing to a 9-3 lead after the first ten minutes. The visitors had established a 13-5 advantage by the first break, keeping the Pretoria crowd quiet.

The home side came back shooting in the second quarter with great determination, fighting their way back into the game. Tuks ran hard, needing to work hard against Kovsies, who still managed to be in the lead with 22-16 at half-time.

Kovsies made good use of their power play early in the third quarter to stretch their lead further to 30-22. They made the most of their opportunities, going into the final quarter with a 39-31 upper hand.

Even though Tuks made a couple of changes during the final break, they could not avoid defeat in the end.

Kovsies’ Lauren-Lee Christians was also the player of the match, while the champion’s captain, Karla Mostert, was announced as the Player of the Tournament.

This hard-working defender made a number of crucial interventions alongside her sister Tanya in the final. Karla proved that she was the fans’ tournament favorite, claiming the most votes and winning a Samsung S4.

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