Sanef Champions Fact-Based Journalism for Democracy on World News Day
27-09-2024
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) highlights the critical role that responsible and factual journalism plays in serving the public interest and safeguarding the principles of democracy.
On “World News Day”, Saturday, 28th September 2024, Sanef proudly supports the global campaign theme, “Choose Truth,” initiated by our esteemed international partners including the Canadian Journalism Foundation, WAN-IFRA’s World Editors Forum, and Project Kontinuum.
This campaign calls on all members of the news industry and their supporters to champion fact-based journalism, which is the foundation of a free and open society. In a world where misinformation and disinformation can spread at unprecedented speeds, the commitment of journalists to uphold high standards of accuracy, ethics, and accountability has never been more critical.
South Africa’s strong tradition of media self-regulation, upheld by the Press Council of South Africa and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa, is key to maintaining the integrity of our newsrooms.
These regulatory mechanisms ensure that our journalists operate within a framework that prioritises accuracy and public accountability, fostering trust in the media. This system not only holds journalists to account but also ensures that the public receives information that is accurate, balanced, and fair.
Factual Journalism as the Cornerstone of Democracy
Quality journalism is more than just a profession it is the backbone of a well-functioning democracy. Journalists dedicate themselves to verifying facts, examining sources, and presenting truth through rigorous investigative reporting. This process ensures that citizens are informed with clarity and certainty, empowering them to make sound decisions in public discourse and governance.
As Nwabisa Makunga, Chair of Sanef, aptly stated at the 2024 Nat Nakasa Awards in Durban in September, “What I believe should anchor the work we do is earning public trust. For us as journalists, the work we do can only have an impact and be effective if we largely enjoy the trust of those we serve.”
Sanef believes that building trust through truth-based journalism strengthens the social contract between the media and the public, ensuring transparency and fostering accountability in all levels of society.
On World News Day, Martha Ramos, President of the World Editors Forum, reminds us, “Quality journalism offers that and more. On World News Day, we come together as citizens to remember why such journalism matters and why it’s worth supporting ethical, trustworthy, and truth-seeking news media.”
Similarly, Kathy English, Chair of the Canadian Journalism Foundation, notes, “Journalism matters. Facts matter. Truth matters. Without the verified facts that can reveal truth, freedom and democracy can fail.”
As we celebrate World News Day 2024, Sanef calls on all South Africans to support quality journalism that values truth and integrity. Let us ‘choose truth’ and continue to advocate for a media environment that safeguards the public’s right to know.
Note to Editors:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. Sanef is not a union.
For more information, please contact:
Nwabisa Makunga – Chairperson (082) 555-1972
Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621
Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer General (073) 404-1415
Makhudu Sefara – Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
Katy Katopodis – Sanef Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
Judy Sandison – Sanef KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Rochelle De Kock – Sanef Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
Sisanda Nkoala – Sanef Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564
Reggy Moalusi – Sanef Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sanef.org.za
