FM Campus publishes weekly during varsity term time, and do a number of bigger theme issues during the year, the biggest of which is the BUMPER recruitment issue.

I’ve got the 2009 recruitment hard copy sitting on my desk — and I’m just beaming! So proud of how it turned out. I think it is the best one ever. We’ve really delved deep into the issues. It’s packed with info and advice on the recession, interviews, labour law, running your own business — the works!

Below is my ed’s note from the issue, but for the features etc see our website www.fmcampus.co.za.

______________________________

Kate Thompson, FM Campus Editor

Hi all

My name is Kate Thompson and I am the new editor of FM Campus.

I am so excited to be part of this magazine and what it stands for, and want to ensure you that we will continue with the same great features and profiles that you’ve come to expect from FM Campus.

We’ve just sent our bumper recruitment issue, the Big Guide to Getting a Job, to print, and this will be distributed to subscribers and universities this coming Friday, so look out for it.

After that, our next weekly issue for second semester goes out on July 24.

Remember to keep in touch:

• You can win music vouchers, sponsored by Grant Thornton, for answering the weekly Big Question. Email your answer to campus@fm.co.za
• You can ask the Campus Guru any burning questions you may have by emailing campusguru@fm.co.za
• You can win DVDs by checking out the Reviews page on our website. Click through to the most recent review and follow the simple steps to win
• Or simply send us your Letters to the Editor by emailing me on campus@fm.co.za

Welcome to FM Campus in 2009!

This year, regular FM Campus readers can look forward to more great coverage on everything from student entrepreneurs, current affairs and graduates making waves in the workplace, to advice from top business leaders, study tips and more!

FM Campus is your magazine – your how-to guide to student life. Each week, we’ll show you how what you’re studying is playing out in the “real” world; we’ll showcase the job opportunities out there – and give you the lowdown on how to land a plum position when you graduate. FM Campus is all about preparing you for life in the classroom, on campus – and in your future career.

Importantly, though, we need your input to produce a magazine that really covers all bases. If you’ve got a suggestion, comment, or if you want to get involved, drop an e-mail to campus@fm.co.za. If you’re running your own business – or know of someone who is – tell us about it! If you have any questions about life, the university and campus life, our Guru is always on hand to help. Just e-mail campusguru@fm.co.za and your question will be answered in our magazine and on the Guru’s blog. And if you want to become a part of our panel answering each week’s “Big Question”, let us know on campus@fm.co.za.

We look forward to making 2009 a year to remember!

In a positive move this week, the ANC National Working Committee has urged its supporters to respect the right of breakaway members Mosioua Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa to form a new political party. The call came after a rally for the yet-to-be-named party at Orange Farm, outside Johannesburg, where protestors shouted “Kill Shilowa, kill Lekota” and allegedly assaulted one of the event organisers.

But it’s not surprising that opposition to the breakaway party has taken this aggressive form. With ANC Youth League earlier threatening to “do everything in its power to smash” any party standing in opposition to the ANC, coupled with Youth League leader Julius Malema’s “kill for Zuma” rhetoric, the league has fostered a culture of intolerance.

In the interests of an open and democratic society, it’s encouraging to see the ANC high command pushing an agenda of tolerance. But how much is that worth if there is no move to rein in the violent rhetoric issuing from certain sectors of the organisation?

Talk Radio 702’s recent report on a racist Facebook group started by students of North West University raises questions about freedom of expression and online control. The group reportedly carried a picture of a white man holding a gun and standing over the body of a black boy. The picture was removed once the story broke – but at the time of writing this, the group remained active, with 48 members and some deeply offensive wall postings.

Hardline proponents of freedom of expression argue that an idea’s longevity in the “marketplace of ideas” lies in its inherent logic and rationality. In short, a bad idea will not garner the support of others, and will thus not be relevant in any search for truth. Basically, it is not desirable to limit expression because the quality of ideas in the “market” will automatically weed out those that aren’t “true”, “logical” or “rational” – and, in any case, you want as many ideas as possible floating around for progress to occur.

So where does this leave sentiments and groups such as this one on Facebook? Certainly, in most countries freedom of expression is not considered an absolute right. It is situated in a context of competing claims and may be subject to limitations where it comes into conflict with other rights. Our constitution, for example, enshrines freedom of expression – as long as it doesn’t amount to hate speech or incite people to violence.

In my mind, the offending group should be removed from the site. But who makes that decision – and based on which country’s laws? And why is it that the picture was deemed too offensive to be carried but the group, whose reason for being is equally offensive, remains active?

In the turbulent times of the moment, where a president is deposed in a weekend, members of the country’s cabinet resign within days and premier positions have the air of a game of musical chairs, it’s a relief to see that some things political don’t change. Like the ANC Youth League.

After a year of vehement rhetoric and unapologetic threats of violence, the Youth League has come out guns blazing again, threatening to do “everything in its power to smash” any possible splinter political party formed in support of ousted president Thabo Mbeki.

If such a new party were to be formed, and if it were not to act in the interests of the electorate, then the people of SA would simply not vote for it. Conversely, if the ANC were to deliver on its promises and keep its electorate satisfied, election results would reflect that. Such are the workings of democracy – no “smashing” required…

Imagine NYPD Blue without the New York Police Department or Prison Break without corrupt prison coppers. It’s like trying to picture the 80s cult TV classic LA Law without the District Attorney’s office. This is what SA’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) seems to be angling for when it comes to local soap opera Isidingo.

This weekend, newspapers reported that the NPA had met with producers of the popular series after it introduced “an NPA character” of questionable scruples. The NPA has lodged an objection, claiming the character is too “far fetched”.

“The first thing that is totally wrong is the fact they call [the character, Sthembiso Shezi] the NPA’s second-in-command,” NPA executive communications manager Bulelwa Makeke was quoted as saying. “In reality, our second in command is the head of the Directorate of Special Operations, or Scorpions.

“They went ahead with this character without consulting us.”

I’ve always believed soap opera storylines are way too far-fetched to be believable. But when organisations like the NPA try to control a fictionalised storyline and lay claim to the portrayal of a fictionalised character, one starts to wonder if it’s the real organisations and institutions running the country who have lost the plot.