SANEF remains committed to promoting ethical conduct and behaviour among journalists
25 March 2026
As journalists interact with a wide range of people in their work, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) continues to strongly call for such interactions to be conducted ethically.
SANEF notes the controversy surrounding SABC journalist Natasha Phiri, who has now been suspended by the SABC pending a further investigation. We expect the public broadcaster to keep the broader public informed of the outcome of its investigation. While the suspension can be considered a labour issue, the public nature of the allegations has firmly thrust the matter into the area of public interest.
It should also be noted that Phiri has not been afforded any opportunity to respond at the Commission, and we hope such an opportunity will arise for her and other journalists who have been mentioned. During its opening days, the commission had made an undertaking that all implicated people would be allowed an opportunity to respond, and SANEF hopes the Commission will make good on this undertaking.
SANEF encourages anyone with credible information about corrupt journalists to report this to the Editor in Chief of the publication they work for, as well as to the police, so that such allegations can be investigated. The Press Council and Broadcast Complaints Commission (BCCSA) continue to act as arbiters for complaints about specific stories which the public believes may be inaccurate or unfair. The Madlanga Commission has an active hotline that can serve as another avenue to report all types of corruption, including that involving any journalists.
SANEF reminds journalists to take precautions in their conduct, especially when it comes to politically exposed people. They should always adhere to their newsrooms’ code of ethics, which should be underpinned by the Code of Conduct and Ethics, which states that “the media shall not allow commercial, political, personal or other non-professional considerations to influence reporting, and avoid conflicts of interest as well as practices that could lead readers to doubt the media’s independence and professionalism.”
Later this year, South Africans will go to the polls in local government elections, and with such an important news event, we all need to be vigilant as journalists in our work and those we work with in our coverage. Journalists should be on high alert for any attempts to pay them for favourable coverage by any politician or political party.
SANEF calls on newsrooms to be vigilant and act on credible allegations of wrongdoing by journalists. Such steps will go a long way to fostering public confidence in our work.
SANEF will continue to watch developments closely regarding this matter.
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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, conducting research, and providing education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
For more information, please contact:
Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134
Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621
Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415
Slindile Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367
Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
Dianne Hawker – Gauteng Convenor (072) 016-5984
Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Jude Mathurine – Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799-1701
Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138-5564
Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.SANEF.org.za
