(Not) a Great Text (but) a Big Question: the Protection of Information Bill

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the Protection of Information Bill, UCT’s Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA) presents, as part of the Great Texts/Big Questions series, an illustrious panel discussion entitled ‘(Not) a Great Text (but) a Big Question: the Protection of Information Bill’ on Thursday 21 October. 

Veteran writer, philosopher, academic and former Vice Chancellor of UCT, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, lead the panel which also includes Professor David Benatar from UCT’s Department of Philosophy and Tony Weaver, assistant editor of the Cape Times. The panel was chaired by UCT academic and prominent theatre innovator and writer, Mwenya Kabwe.

“The debate around the bill is a minefield of issues,” says Jay Pather, acting Director of GIPCA. “Journalist Daryl Ilbury has written provocatively for the adoption of the bill, stating that the Bill and its attendant 'tribunal' may ironically free up journalists – who will be forced to go underground for the noble pursuit of truth and write exactly what they want. It will be fascinating to hear the opinions of other thought leaders,” he said.