According to Independent Media, Black Wednesday refers to a day on the journalistic calendar when the apartheid regime silenced media titles such as The World, Weekend World and their editor Percy Qoboza.

This was alongside a number of other journalists and 19 black consciousness organisations. The silencing effectively squashed any alternative voices from being heard, stifled freedom of expression, and therefore, media freedom — promoting the bias of the day, adds Independent Media.

The webinars to be hosted include:

Wednesday, 21 October (11:00 to midday): 'Media Diversity'
The webinar aims to discuss whether the demographics of the country are reflected. Moderator Siyavuya Mzantsi, editor of the Cape Times will be joined by SANEF chairperson Sbu Ngalwa and Sindile Khanyile, former editor of Isolezwe. To register, click here.

Friday, 23 October (11:00 to midday): 'Who Governs the 4th Estate?'
The webinar aims to focus on ethics and credibility, which will be moderated by Advocate Robin Sewlal, associate director of Journalism at the Durban University of Technology. Panelists for this session will be the Press Ombudsman and Pippa Green, along with Zingisa Mkhuma, editor of Sunday Independent and Mazwai Xaba, Independent Media's managing editor of Kwa-Zulu Natal. To register, click here.

A live discussion has already been held to kickstart the commemoration titled, Healing Wounds: Reflections on Black Wednesday. The discussion was moderated by Sifiso Mahlangu, executive editor of politics and editor at The Star. The panelists included:
  • clinical psychologist and anti-apartheid activist Dr Sath Cooper
  • Ayanda Mdluli, editor at Daily News, and
  • author and activist Imtiaz Cajee.
A recording of this session can be viewed here

For more information, visit www.independentmedia.co.za.