Through my eyes

Suna Venter was only 32 when she died last week. Her death really saddened me. This young, brave woman gave her life to telling stories that mattered and she fought for the truth.

As a SABC journalist, Suna covered some horrifying footage, which shook us to the core, she fought for the freedom of speech and was not scared to stand up to her boss, Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Her family believes the stress of the fight against him, and later intimidation and death threats, brought on a heart condition, which was ultimately fatal.

Suna Venter was one of the eight journalists fired from the SABC for refusing to bow down to Hlaudi's policy prohibiting the airing of footage that showed violent protests or civil unrest. Although later reinstated, the stress of that saga, and a sustained campaign of intimidation against her, eventually proved too much.

Venter was recently diagnosed with a cardiac condition known as stress cardiomyopathy, or Broken Heart Syndrome, "believed to be caused by trauma and prolonged periods of unnatural stress", her family told the media.

Suna was committed to her position as an investigative journalist; she stood for what's right and what's true. She believed in the role of the public broadcaster as enshrined in our constitution that warrants that it must play a central role in strengthening our democracy.

Suna was just one of the journalists that are experiencing intimidation and death threats. There are a number of victims who just want to do their jobs. Jobs that they have studied so hard to do and fought so hard to uphold.

We can never underestimate the role that journalists play in promoting and upholding the constitutional value of freedom of speech. We must praise journalists like Suna, who despite intimidation stood resolute to her responsibility.

We come from a past where free media was suppressed. With this history we know too well the type of crimes that are allowed to go unnoticed without the media fulfilling its "watchdog" role. A free and independent media is a central pillar of any democracy and must be protected at all costs.

We cannot allow journalists to be intimidated into changing headlines simply because a group of people threaten them.

Suna died a hero, she leaves a legacy for all of us to follow. She shines a light on the sad reality about the future of journalism in our country and the rest of the world. As we witness in horror the insults and threats the American president is making against the media we realise that many of the journalists' lives are now in danger.

Let's hope that her story shines a light on the intimidation many journalists are currently facing for speaking out against the government's ills. Let us also be mindful that nothing is as important as our safety and wellbeing. If your job is making you sick, then just walk away! If that sounds too simplistic then don't shy away from counselling, there is so much merit in it and there is so much love and help waiting for you, so take advantage of it and allow help into your life.

If need be visit http://www.therapist-directory.co.za