Discourse ZA

Brett and TK review the last 12 months to gain an understanding of the political landscape prior to the lockdown. How has the ANC performed since the elections? Why is the EFF losing relevance? Then they delve into the ANC’s handling of the current pandemic while asking the question: Can one set of policies work in a country with townships and golf estates?

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Brett Thompson is the co-creator of Digital Discourse ZA, and a long-time animal advocate. He is an armchair economist and political pundit, with a background in finance and economics. He is committed to advancing the interests of animals and is working at market-orientated solutions to achieving freedom for all sentient beings. You can follow him on Twitter at @brettvthompson.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brettvthompson

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Kagiso “TK” Pooe is a Senior lecturer at North-West University’s Public Administration and Governance programme, and a public policy analyst focusing on Local Economic Development and Government Institutional Planning. Prior to joining academia, he worked as a policy research consultant at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and as a researcher for the Integrated Development Planning Unit at the

Sedibeng District Municipality. You can follow him on Twitter at @TKPooe7.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tkpooe7

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In this episode of Discourse ZA, Justine Limpitlaw and William Bird discuss the roles of law and media in the current pandemic: Should disinformation be criminalised? Where is the line between legitimate government intervention and authoritarian overreach? Lastly, they discuss the Bill Gates saga and the importance of mainstream media getting their facts straight.

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Justine Limpitlaw - BA LLB (Wits) LLM (Yale) - is an independent communications law consultant, a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, and the author of two books — the Media Law Handbook for Southern Africa and the Media Law Handbook for Eastern Africa. She specializes in electronic communications law and has extensive experience in broadcasting licensing processes, including DTT and Satellite television services. You can follow her on Twitter at @JustineLimLaw.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustineLimLaw

Books: https://bit.ly/2RswhA8

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William Bird is the Director of Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), an NGO that combats disinformation and promotes ethical and fair journalism.  At MMA, William has overseen or been directly involved in over 100 media monitoring projects on subjects ranging from gender based violence, HIV, and racism to reporting on Africa and migration in the media and public broadcasting sectors. Some highlights include the conceptualisation of a range of data journalism tools, including Newstools.co.za, Wazimap.co.za and MMA’s own monitoring tool, Dexter. You can follow him on Twitter at @Billbobbird.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Billbobbird

Website: https://mediamonitoringafrica.org/

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Subscribe to the Discourse ZA Podcast:

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Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Glenda Daniels and Justine Limpitlaw discuss the power of giant tech companies, the role of government in regulating media, and the harassment female journalists face online.

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Justine Limpitlaw - BA LLB (Wits) LLM (Yale) - is an independent communications law consultant, a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, and the author of two books — the Media Law Handbook for Southern Africa and the Media Law Handbook for Eastern Africa. She specializes in electronic communications law and has extensive experience in broadcasting licensing processes, including DTT and Satellite television services. You can follow her on Twitter at @JustineLimLaw.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustineLimLaw

Books: https://bit.ly/2RswhA8

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Glenda Daniels is an associate professor of Media Studies at Wits University, a media freedom activist, and the author of the book, “Fight for Democracy: The ANC and the media in South Africa”. After a 20-year career as a journalist working for a variety of publications, including the Mail & Guardia, The Star and the Sunday Times, she completed her PhD in Political Studies at Wits in 2010. Since 2014, she also serves on the council of the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) holding the position of chair of the diversity and ethics committee. You can follow her on Twitter at @GlendaDaniels.

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/glendaADaniels

Book: https://bit.ly/2WY5GMv

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Subscribe to the Digital Discourse ZA Podcast:

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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2vlBwaG

RSS feed: https://bit.ly/2VwsTsy

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Greg Andrews and Jacques Rousseau talk about no-platforming and the Flemming Rose case at UCT; Penny Sparrow; Velaphi Khumalo; legal responses to hateful speech; and how free speech controversies might be used to foster restorative justice.

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Jacques Rousseau is the co-author of "Critical Thinking, Science and Pseudoscience – Why We Can’t Trust Our Brains", and a lecturer in critical thinking and business ethics at the University of Cape Town. You can find his writing at Synapses, his podcast at Square Brackets, and you can follow him on Twitter at @JacquesR.

Book: https://amzn.to/2Cs9nT4

Blog: https://synapses.co.za/

Podcast: https://squarebrackets.co.za/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquesR

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Greg Andrews is a qualified Mountain Guide, an experienced counsellor and facilitator, and a skills development trainer. He has spent the last fifteen years working in various roles in NGO’s and the Methodist Church of Southern Africa helping people in crisis, in dealing with the realities of their lives, or in finding new ways to grow and flourish. You can follow him on Twitter at @barefoot_dassie.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barefoot_dassie

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This is the final instalment of a 4-part series on free speech that Greg and Jacques did on their podcast, Square Brackets. You can listen to those conversations by clicking on the relevant link below:

Free Speech #1: https://squarebrackets.co.za/free-speech-1-why-do-we-value-it/

Free Speech #2: https://squarebrackets.co.za/free-speech-2-absolute-principles-and-civil-disobedience/

Free Speech #3: https://squarebrackets.co.za/free-speech-3-censorship-steve-hofmeyr-and-the-elections/

Free Speech #4: https://squarebrackets.co.za/free-speech-4-no-platforming-hateful-bigots-and-restorative-justice/

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Follow us on Social Media:

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Subscribe to the Digital Discourse ZA Podcast:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2V5ckEM

Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2UILooX

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2vlBwaG

RSS feed: https://bit.ly/2VwsTsy

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Brett Thompson and TK Pooe break down the 2019 election results. Who were the winners and losers? Is populism on the rise? They also look ahead to what the next steps for the newly elected president will be. Will Mr Ramaphosa have the support of his party? What balances of power need to be considered when choosing the cabinet? Who will be the deputy president — and how much does it matter?

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Brett Thompson is the co-creator of Digital Discourse ZA, and a long-time animal advocate. He is an armchair economist and political pundit, with a background in finance and economics. He is committed to advancing the interests of animals and is working at market-orientated solutions to achieving freedom for all sentient beings. You can follow him on Twitter at @brettvthompson.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brettvthompson

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Kagiso “TK” Pooe is a lecturer at North-West University’s Public Administration and Governance programme, and a public policy analyst focusing on Local Economic Development and Government Institutional Planning. Prior to joining academia, he worked as a policy research consultant at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and as a researcher for the Integrated Development Planning Unit at the

Sedibeng District Municipality. You can follow him on Twitter at @TKPooe7.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tkpooe7

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Follow us on Social Media:

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2u46Mdy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitaldiscourseza/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/discourseza

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Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Professor David Benatar and Andrew Fisher discuss the topic of assisted-dying. Is it morally permissible? What is its current legal status in South Africa — and what should it be?

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Professor David Benatar is a philosopher, an author, and the head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town. He is best known for his advocacy of antinatalism in his book “Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence”.

Books: https://amzn.to/2GOORPo

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Andrew Fisher is an admitted attorney practicing commercial law in Cape Town. He has a law degree and a Masters in philosophy, both from the University of Cape Town, and is interested in questions with legal and practical ethical dimensions.

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In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Kate Wilkinson and Chris Roper discuss the “fake news” phenomenon and how it relates to South Africa: What are their respective organisations’ roles in combatting it? Who are the biggest culprits? What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation? Why is Kate reluctant to use the term “fake news”? Kate and Chris also share some useful tips for what the public can do to spot false information online.

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Kate Wilkinson is acting deputy chief editor at Africa Check, the continent's leading fact-checking website. Her main research areas include education, immigration, crime and viral social media hoaxes. She is currently leading the organisation's 2018 election fact-checking work in South Africa. You can follow her on Twitter at @kateomega

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kateomega

Africa Check: https://africacheck.org

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Chris Roper is chief engagement strategist and deputy CEO for the continent’s largest federation of civic technology and data journalism labs, Code for Africa (CfA). He also serves as director for CfA’s forensic data initiative, the African Network of Centres for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR). Prior to joining CfA, Chris was editor-in-chief at the Mail & Guardian as well as Africa’s largest online publisher, 24.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ChrisRoper.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisRoper

CfA: https://codeforafrica.org/

ANCIR: https://investigativecenters.org/

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Relevant links:

GUIDE: How to verify images on your smartphone

https://africacheck.org/factsheets/guide-verify-images-smartphone/  

GUIDE: How to spot fakes & hoaxes online

https://africacheck.org/factsheets/guide-how-to-spot-fakes-and-hoaxes-online/

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In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Kay Walsh and Luke Muller, discuss some of the key macroeconomic issues facing South Africa - with particular focus on Eskom, load shedding, and the current power crisis. Other talking points include government debt, inequality, and social welfare.

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Kay Walsh is the managing director of Nova Economics — a specialist economic and strategy consultancy. Kay is a runner, keen reader, nature-lover, and is passionate about finding ways to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her focus in recent years has been on developing solutions to business and policy challenges in the energy, financial services, and health sectors. You can follow her on Twitter at @KMBWalsh.

Nova Economics: https://novaeconomics.co.za/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmbwalsh

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Luke Muller is an economist, writer, and economics lecturer at the Independent Institute of Education. He enjoys long walks on the beach, up mountains, or anywhere in the great outdoors. He is passionate about education, conservation, and good conversation. You can follow him on Twitter at @izinginga.

Collection of published works: https://muckrack.com/lukemuller

Twitter: https://twitter.com/izinkinga

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In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Jacques Rousseau and Alastair McAlpine discuss the dangers of pseudoscience, the anti-vaccination movement, and the role of social media in undermining professional expertise.

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Jacques Rousseau is the co-author of "Critical Thinking, Science and Pseudoscience – Why We Can’t Trust Our Brains", and a lecturer in critical thinking and business ethics at the University of Cape Town. You can find his writing at Synapses, his podcast at Square Brackets, and you can follow him on Twitter at @JacquesR.

Book: https://amzn.to/2Cs9nT4

Blog: https://synapses.co.za/

Podcast: https://squarebrackets.co.za/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquesR

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Alastair McAlpine is a paediatrician currently pursuing a fellowship in infectious diseases at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. He is the author of the ‘Digital Clubbing’ column for MedicalBrief, which aims to debunk pseudoscience in medicine, and you can follow him on Twitter at @AlastairMcA30.

Digital Clubbing: https://bit.ly/2TeEY0d

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlastairMcA30 

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In this episode of Digital Discourse ZA, Ludwig Raal and Brett Thompson, the channel's creators, talk about what Digital Discourse ZA is and, more specifically, what they want it to be.

Ludwig Raal | https://twitter.com/ludwig_raal

Brett Thompson | https://twitter.com/brettvthompson

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