The Press Council of South Africa invites applications or nominations for PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES for current and future vacancies on the council and panel adjudicators
Applicants must be citizens of and permanently resident in South Africa, be at least 21 years old, and committed to the values underpinning the South African Constitution, as well as the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African print and online media.
Any person who has a financial interest in the media, occupies a seat in a local, provincial or national legislative body, or is an office-bearer of a political party or movement, or is in the employ of the public service, is not eligible. A nomination must be accompanied by a letter from the nominee accepting the nomination.
The Press Council also invites applications for the PUBLIC ADVOCATE VACANCY
The applicant is required to have in-depth knowledge of the role of the media in a democratic society in general, and of the Press Code. She/he will be impartial and fair and must have strong communication, facilitation and mediation skills.
Event Management Tender Notice for SANEF’s Independent Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry Conference and Ethics Campaign
Introduction
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is one of the most influential groupings in South Africa. It consists of title editors and senior journalists operating in print, broadcasting and digital mainstream at national as well as some regional and community media levels. It also serves media trainers and academics from major journalism departments and training institutes in the country.
SANEF’s vision is to promote the quality and ethics of journalism, to reflect the diversity of South Africa, and to champion freedom of expression.
SANEF would like to invite event management companies and individuals to bid to manage the following one-day conference and ethics campaign:
Background
SANEF launched an Inquiry into media ethics and credibility in June 2019. We appointed an independent panel chaired by retired Judge Kathleen Satchwell with panelists, Nikiwe Bikitsha and Rich Mkhondo. Please see a link to the terms of reference https://sanef.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Terms-of-reference-June-2019.pdf. The panel will present their findings to SANEF at the beginning of June 2020. The report will be debated and an action plan drafted. This action plan will then be adopted at a SANEF Ethics and Credibility Conference that has been planned for 15 October 2020. Please see the SANEF website for more background information https://sanef.org.za/media-ethics-and-credibility-inquiry/.
Two hundred guests will be invited. It will be a one-day conference held in Johannesburg on Thursday 15 October 2020.
Tender document
Prospective companies and individuals should submit a document that contains the following:
Name of company/individual and contact details including company registration and ID numbers of representatives;
Profile and references;
Outline of how the company/individual would approach:
The marketing of Judge Satchwell’s media ethics and credibility report to ensure that all major media industry players and other stakeholders (including government and business) are aware of the report and feel encouraged to debate and submit their views to the SANEF office.
Assist the SANEF office in compiling an action plan using the report and submissions;
Assist the SANEF office to invite speakers and guests to the conference;
Assist with drafting of the conference programme; and
Organize all logistics connected to the conference.
Detailed budgets for the ethics campaign leading up to the conference and detailed budgets for all the costs associated with the one-day conference.
Contact details for submission
Date of final submission: 25 March 2020
Office Administrator, South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF)
President Cyril Ramaphosa with Sanef Acting Chairperson Katy Katapodis
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), held a transparent and robust engagement with President Cyril Ramaphosa at Tuynhuys, Parliament in Cape Town, yesterday (Tuesday 3rd March 2020). SANEF members and senior journalists from across the media sector were invited.
The President agreed with SANEF that there was a need to reinvigorate our yearly cabinet / SANEF lekgotla and to hold interactions, on a quarterly basis.
He agreed that it was important for the media to interact with government at all levels. The President promised to facilitate these interactions.
The key issues, in our wide-ranging discussion, included SANEF’s Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry, the budget speech, cuts to the public wage bill, the state of the economy, the restructuring of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) including Eskom, the President’s time in office and his leadership, and the media’s interaction with government and its leaders.
SANEF was particularly pleased to see that the country’s most senior editors and journalists attended this important event – which forms part of SANEF’s strategy to interact more often and more robustly with the Presidency in order to address any and all pressing and important matters related to the media industry.
Note for 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 the 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 through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, education and training programmes.
The Press Council of South Africa has appointed Mr Fanie Groenewald as acting Public Advocate, with immediate effect, Executive Director Ms Latiefa Mobara announced on Thursday 20 February 2020.
Mr Groenewald is a long-standing member of the Panel of Adjudicators of the Press Council, a former Tshwane University of Technology journalism lecturer and a former Beeld newspaper journalist. He will act as Public Advocate until a permanent appointment is made to replace the former public advocate, Mr Joe Latakgomo.
Ms Mobara said: “We are delighted that Fanie Groenewald has agreed to act as the Public Advocate. He is one of our most-experienced adjudicators who has contributed to many rulings, hearings and appeals at the Press Council during the past decade.
“He understands the Press Code of South Africa intimately, having contributed deeply to its development, and he will act as the complainants’ friend – helping complainants to formulate their complaints against our subscriber members who may have transgressed and attempting to mediate fair and reasonable settlements.
“If he is unable to resolve matters by mediation and they get referred to Ms Pippa Green, the Press Ombud, for adjudication; Fanie will be available to assist and act as the representative of the complainant at the hearing.
“It is a vital role in the Press Council and Fanie will act to ensure that the process, which is free to complainants, is speedy and efficient.”
Ends
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is happy to announce that important progress has been made regarding the independent Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry.
The Panel of Enquiry was launched at the end of June 2019, with funding raised by SANEF. The Inquiry is run by an independent panel, chaired by retired Judge Kathleen Satchwell and includes panelists, Nikiwe Bikitsha and Rich Mkhondo.
By mid-December 2019, the Panel had rigorously engaged with 55 substantive submissions, many of which required follow-up including oral hearings and further research. Among a number of issues, the Inquiry has been engaging with the Sunday Times SARS “Rogue Unit” story.
The deadline for unsolicited submissions was originally set for November 2019 but has now been extended to the end of January 2020 to ensure as much engagement with the public as possible.
Way forward The Panel will conclude receiving unsolicited approaches by the end of January 2020. SANEF encourages all interested individuals and organisations to contact the panel via email – [email protected] within the remaining 15 days.
The Panel will then spend February to April 2020 following up with further meetings with selected individuals and organisations, reviewing their own and the research of others. The panelists anticipate submitting the final Report to SANEF in June 2020 to enable us to engage with the contents and proposals and to prepare for our planned media industry conference in October 2020. The plan is for the conference to adopt a media industry action plan and for media houses to sign an ethics pledge.
Original impetus for the Inquiry The impetus for the Inquiry were the apologies made by the Sunday Times in terms of their “Rogue Unit”, Cato Manor and Zimbabwe Rendition stories. Also, allegations were made at the Zondo Commission by security and prison services company, BOSASA that they had paid journalists to ensure positive coverage. SANEF welcomed the apologies by the Sunday Times but we felt that this was only the first step in rebuilding public trust. We stated that we saw this as a moment for the newspaper – but also for all media houses – to seriously introspect and review editorial systems and practices to enhance media ethics and credibility.
Please see the terms of reference of the Inquiry here.
Note for 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 the 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 through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, education and training programmes.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply concerned on 19 December 2019, by allegations from former senior eNCA journalist, Samkele Maseko that eNCA’s Kanthan Pillay had censored stories in the newsroom. The censoring of journalists, who report in ethical and responsible ways is anathema in our industry and should always be strongly condemned.
Media freedom is a critical part of a healthy and functional democracy and should be fiercely protected by all South Africans.
SANEF will, therefore, write to eNCA management to request a meeting and to seek clarity on Mr. Pillay’s position.
The allegations of censorship against a senior editorial executive at eNCA go against the principles that SANEF holds dear. SANEF, therefore, calls on eNCA to immediately get to the bottom of these allegations against Pillay.
We welcome the fact that Maseko has agreed to approach Judge Kathleen Satchwell and the Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry to discuss these issues further.
SANEF calls on all editors, media owners and newsroom executives to guard against all instances of editorial interference in newsrooms and to allow journalists to continue with their work in a responsible and ethical manner.
Note for 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 the 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 through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, education and training programmes.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has followed up on the letter it wrote to the President on the 29th of October, asking him to call the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe to account. To date, Minister Mantashe has still not apologised for the comments that he bribed journalists at the Sunday World newspaper to quash a story about his personal life. We note that he subsequently retracted that statement.
This is an extremely serious matter for SANEF, and we will continue to seek answers. As a result, we have now also written to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee asking the Committee to hold a hearing into the matter.
Finally, SANEF has followed up with members of Judge Satchwell’s independent Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry. The panellists have confirmed that they will be approaching Minister Mantashe to make a submission.
SANEF believes that as a minimum an apology is required – to the journalists at the Sunday World, the Sunday World itself, all journalists whose reputations have been tarnished as a result of his claims, and the South African public as a whole.
SANEF reiterates the fact that paid for or so-called “brown envelope” journalism is a very serious breach of the Press Council Code.
Section 2 of the Code deals with “Independence and Conflicts of Interest”. The Code states clearly that:
The media shall:
2.1 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;
2.2 not accept any benefit which may influence coverage;
2.3 indicate clearly when an outside organization has contributed to the cost of newsgathering; and
2.4 keep editorial material clearly distinct from advertising and sponsored events.
A call to action
SANEF believes that brown envelope journalism is a scourge and cannot be tolerated in any form. If organisations or members of the public have any evidence – or evidence of any other ethical breaches in the media – we encourage them to make submissions to the Satchwell Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry. Please send submissions to [email protected]. The new, extended deadline is 31 January 2020.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is pleased to announce today (12 November 2019) that the deadline for submissions to the independent Media Credibility and Ethics Inquiry has been extended to Friday 31st of January 2020. This is to encourage as many organisations and individuals as possible to make submissions.
A call to participate
SANEF is encouraging all interested organisations and individuals to write submissions to the Panel at [email protected]. The panellists will analyse the submissions and, if they feel it is necessary, will call on members of the public and organisations to make further written and/or oral submissions.
The Panel’s recommendations will be presented to a major media conference for discussion in mid-2020 where an industry-wide action plan will be adopted. SANEF believes that the plan will go a long way to rebuilding trust in our industry.
Background to the Inquiry
On 24 June 2019, SANEF launched the Inquiry with a panel of commissioners headed by retired judge, Kathleeen Satchwell, including panellists, Nikiwe Bikitsha and Rich Mkhondo.
The launch of the Inquiry was triggered by several apologies made by the Sunday Times correcting mistakes over stories such as the so-called “Rogue Unit” story. Also, allegations were made at the Zondo Commission by security and prison services company, BOSASA that they had paid journalists to ensure positive coverage.
SANEF welcomed the apologies made by the Sunday Times, but we felt that this was just the first step in rebuilding the public trust. We stated that we saw this as a moment for the newspaper – but also for all media houses – to seriously introspect and review editorial systems and practices to enhance media ethics and credibility.
It was at this point that we announced we would be launching our independent investigation.
SANEF believes the Inquiry is taking place against a broader backdrop of state capture in South Africa, with the media industry not being immune from being drawn into manipulative practices and collusions.
Terms of reference of the Inquiry
The terms of reference include the following:
• To investigate ethical breaches on the part of the media industry in South Africa including obstacles to accountable and credible media practice in a democratic environment;
• To consider the occasion, nature, identity, reasons and impetus of such breaches as well as solutions to the current problems confronting professional and ethical journalist practice;
• To investigate the content and implementation of various editorial codes in South Africa and internationally in contributing to professional and ethical journalistic practice; and
• For the panel to consult with media companies and owners, political parties, government (at all levels), civil society, editors and journalists and members of the public.
Please find the terms of reference here.
For more information please contact:
Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director 082 926 6404
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) met today, 31 October, with Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, to discuss his comments that he bribed journalists at the Sunday World newspaper.
Members of the SANEF Management Committee and the editor of the Sunday World, Makhudu Sefara, a SANEF member, were in attendance. Mantashe was accompanied by his special advisors, chief of staff & media liaison officer.
The meeting was robust and difficult as the events of the past 5 days were discussed.
As SANEF we reiterated the damage the allegations have done to not only the Sunday World but to the whole industry. “Paid for” or so-called “brown envelope” is gutter journalism, and an assault to media ethics.
The new editor-in-chief of the Sunday World, Makhudu Sefara explained that the allegations have created a reputational crisis for the weekly paper.
The Minister’s initial statement that he bribed journalists and then his withdrawal of this claim has threatened the invaluable trust relationship necessary between the publication and readers – but also amongst the Sunday World and its journalists. Sefara has been forced to subject all his staff to lie-detector tests.
After the robust discussion, Minister Mantashe confirmed the following:
– That he had stated that he had bribed journalists – confirming that the statements attributed to him in the Sunday World were correct.
– He, however, denied bribing journalists. He insists there was never a meeting with the paper’s journalists and an exchange of money.
– He, however, said that he will subject himself to the full processes of the
Kathy Satchwell Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility to explain the circumstances that led to him making the statement.
SANEF chairperson, Mahlatse Mahlase requested that the Minister apologise to the nation, journalists at Sunday World, and the industry for the damage, pain and confusion he has caused by making the serious allegations that he had bribed journalists.
“Our reporters feel he must apologise not just to the paper, but for causing pain and trauma in their lives, Sefara said.
SANEF urges the Minister that when he approaches the Satchwell commission he makes a statement under oath.
SANEF will await the outcomes of the Satchwell ethics and credibility inquiry on the matter.
We continue to encourage members of the public to make submissions to the inquiry to help in the process of holding journalists accountable. Please send submissions to [email protected].
Finally, we have called on the President to look into this issue as we believe strongly that sitting cabinet members have a role to play in eradicating corruption and promoting media freedom.
Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom, Acting Chair – 082 379 4957
Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – 082 926 6404
Mr. Gwede Mantashe Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Trust in the Media is Important to our Democracy
The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe today, 31 October 2019, met with the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) – at which meeting also the editor of the Sunday World was present.
The Minister acknowledges that, during the telephonic conversation with the Sunday World, he made claims about the bribery of journalists. He regrets these statements as there is no basis for them. He neither met with nor paid any journalists. He retracts what he said.
The Minister further commits to fully participate in SANEF’s inquiry into media ethics and credibility led by retired Judge Satchwell. This is to ensure transparency, fair and appropriate scrutiny, and to assist in engendering trust in newsrooms; and between the media and society at large.
He is committed to an environment in which journalists can work freely and without suspicion. The integrity of the media is integral to a healthy, progressive and open democratic society.
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