If government “appreciates challenging views of scientists”, why gag them?
25 May 2020
Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbite from John Steenhuisen MP.
The censoring of scientists by the Medical Research Council (MRC), along with a grovelling apology issued by its board chairperson, Professor Johnny Mahlangu, to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, makes a mockery of President Ramaphosa’s statement last night when he said: “We appreciate the diverse and sometimes challenging views of the scientists and health professionals in our country, which stimulate public debate and enrich our response.”
This gagging and grovelling follows a campaign of bullying of the President of the MRC, Professor Glenda Gray, after she spoke critically in an interview of aspects of the lockdown response. The bullying culminated in a letter sent from the acting Director General of the Health Department, Dr Anban Pillay, to the MRC on Friday instructing them to investigate Gray.
These actions of intimidation aimed at silencing opposing views are not acceptable in our open democracy, and particularly not in the circumstances of a pandemic response that requires constant updating and amending. We need a wide range of views to be heard. Now more than ever the principles of transparency and accountability are of critical importance. We cannot tolerate the authoritarian censorship of those who raise their concerns.