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Media Freedom

SANEF’s AGM resolves to strengthen the efforts of the Media Defence Legal Fund – and stands in support of journalists in Palestine and Kenya

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), at its annual general meeting (AGM) at the weekend condemned the continued harassment and abuse our journalists experience in our courts, and those seeking to take news titles to court.

SANEF resolved to work closely with various local and international stakeholders as it seeks to formalise the establishment of a Media Defence Legal Fund. The purpose of the Fund will be to support journalists and media houses, particularly against those who use lawfare to intimidate news media.

One of the immediate matters on our radar regards the MK Party’s intention to take the SABC to court over the use of the Government of National Unity (GNU) definition, a move by the political party that we explicitly oppose. SANEF intends to become a friend of the court.

New Leadership

The Sowetan’s editor, former deputy chair of SANEF, Nwabisa Makunga, was elected as chairperson at this elective AGM, with the previous chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa, now assuming the treasurer-general role. Tshamano Makhadi is now the deputy chairperson and Glenda Daniels retains her position as secretary-general.

Dunisani Ntsanwisi was re-elected to be the chairperson of the community sub-committee; Katy Katopodis was also re-elected to be the chairperson of the journalism wellness and safety sub-committee; Makhudu Sefara was also re-elected to lead the media freedom sub-committee; Phathiswa Magopeni continues to lead the education and training sub-committee and Nicki Gules and Asanda Ngoasheng lead the diversity and ethics sub-committee.

Dianne Hawker is now the convenor in Gauteng, she will be supported by Heather Robertson, while Judy Sandison continues as convenor in KwaZulu-Natal, supported by Slindile Khanyile. In the Eastern Cape, Rochelle de Kock continues as convenor, Jude Mathurine will support her, while in the Western Cape, Sisanda Nkoala is the convenor, and Marenet Jordaan will support her. 

Constitution Review

The AGM further resolved to review the organisation’s constitution, to be led by a review committee that the management committee would appoint. The review will be presented at SANEF’s next Council meeting in September. The review committee intends to look at several clauses that need clarity, such as the establishment of sub-committees.

Press Council of South Africa (PCSA)

The AGM resolved to allocate a percentage of funds raised from SANEF’s annual fundraiser dinner to financially support the Press Council of SA (PCSA). The PCSA remains independent and continues to do invaluable work with online and print media. Its continued sustainability concerns SANEF, hence we resolved to support it as much as we can.

Journalists in Palestine and Kenya

The AGM noted the continued killing of journalists in Palestine; since October 7, there have been 162 journalists killed. The latest to be killed was this past weekend when an Israeli strike targeting the central Gaza Strip killed a Palestinian journalist. Our hearts and support continue to be with the working media, and we reiterate the urgent call for the protection of journalists, and the killings to cease.

In Kenya, journalists are constantly harassed and shot at by a brutal police force. We join our media colleagues across the continent in condemning these senseless violent acts, carried out by a police force driven who are anti journalists.

Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards (SBSJA)

SANEF’s newly elected management committee and council wish to congratulate all the winners of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalist Awards, particularly, Lucas Ledwaba, for being awarded the Journalist of the Year, in 2024.

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
  • Dr. 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
Sustainability & Media Relief Fund 1

SANEF Laments the Impending Closure of Historic Media24 Print Publications

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18 June 2024

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) expresses its profound sadness that Media24 is shutting down the print operations of some of its most iconic print publications, including City Press, Rapport, Beeld, and Daily Sun.

About 400 jobs are expected to be lost.

These titles have been a cornerstone of the South African media landscape, providing essential news coverage and insightful commentary for decades.

SANEF notes the response to the reports by Ishmet Davidson, CEO of Media24, undertaking to continue to consult with staff about any potential and subsequent actions and remain committed to following due process.

SANEF acknowledges the challenging economic environment that Media24 and other media establishments in the print sector are navigating. The financial pressures arising from escalating distribution costs, diminishing advertising revenue, and a readership migration to online platforms are undeniably significant.

Media24 said in a statement: “There is no doubt whatsoever that our future is digital. But our digital news services no longer face competition from only other local publishers. Our main competitors now are Facebook, Google, Instagram and TikTok; all which are well funded and based offshore.”

However, SANEF had hoped that the devastating wave of media shutdowns experienced during the COVID-19 crisis, which nearly obliterated the magazine and community media sectors and led to relentless retrenchments in the mainstream media, had finally subsided. The potential closure of these iconic titles represents a setback more severe than anticipated.

In light of this dire situation, SANEF is encouraged that Media24 plans to explore alternative solutions to preserve these historic publications while adapting to the evolving media landscape. Migrating these cherished print titles to robust digital platforms could provide a viable path forward, ensuring their legacy and continued service to South African readers. Such a transition would not only safeguard jobs but also maintain the diversity and richness of our media ecosystem.

Unfortunately the news of about 400 job losses is a pain that is too much for the industry to bear.

SANEF stands ready to support Media24 and other media houses in navigating these turbulent times. The preservation of journalistic integrity and the continuation of a free, independent press are of paramount importance to our democracy.

We call upon Media24 to engage in open and transparent consultations with all stakeholders, including staff, readers, and industry partners, to find sustainable solutions that honour the legacy of these publications and secure their future in the digital age.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Prof Glenda Daniels – SANEF Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Heather Robertson – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 3085618
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (082) 610 9374
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Elections (2)

Statement of Commitment on Media Freedom and the Protection of Journalists

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SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL EDITORS’ FORUM – GENERAL ELECTIONS 2024

INTRODUCTION

  1. This Statement of Commitment on Media Freedom and the Protection of Journalists (“Statement of Commitment”), developed by the South African National Editors’ Forum, expands on item 8 of the Electoral Code of Conduct on the role of the media.[1] Specifically, this document reflects the expectations on all political parties, candidates and independent candidates in their engagements with the media in the upcoming General Elections in South Africa.  The commitments below should be read in line with inter alia the following frameworks:
    1. the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 – in particular the founding values of transparency, responsiveness and openness; section 16 guaranteeing all persons the right to free speech and press freedom; and section 19 guaranteeing all citizens the right to free, fair and regular elections;
    2. the Electoral Code of Conduct as contained in Schedule 2 of the Electoral Act – in particular item 8 on the role of the media, together with items 3 (compliance with the Code and electoral laws), item 4 (public commitment), item 6 (role of women) and item 9 (prohibited conduct); and
    3. regional and international laws and standards that the country has committed to including the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa,[2] the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa[3] and the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa.[4]
  2. This Statement of Commitment is fundamentally underpinned in recognition of the indispensable role that the media plays in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. For this, this require an enabling environment where the media can perform its constitutionally-mandated duties and functions in the public interest without fear, threat or undue restriction.  Fostering such an environment is critical to the promotion of an effective and independent media landscape committed to the highest levels of professional and ethical journalistic standards.  As the Constitutional Court has previously reflected:[5]

“By its very nature, the proper exercise of the right to vote is largely dependent on information … There is wide coverage of electoral campaigns on all media platforms and they are fundamentally about sharing information so that the electorate know more about those public office seekers.

[1] The Electoral Code of Conduct is contained in Schedule 2 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, accessible here. Item 8 of the Electoral Code provides as follows:

[2] Association of African Election Authorities, 2024, accessible here.

[3] African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (“ACHPR”), 2019, accessible here.

[4] ACHPR, 2017, accessible here.

[5] My Vote Counts NPC v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services [2018] ZACC 17 at paras 37-38 (emp

That information is generally calculated to have voters believe that the candidate it relates to can be trusted and deserves their support because she is best placed to serve citizens in the public office being campaigned for.  It seeks to demonstrate their abhorrence of corruption and all facets of unethical conduct.  It is also meant to assure the public of their commitment to our constitutional values and good governance.  The centrality of information to this process cannot be over-emphasised.”

  1. Accordingly, SANEF calls upon all political parties, candidates and independent candidates to endorse and promote this Statement of Commitment as a declaration of their commitment to our country’s constitutional democracy.

FACILITATION OF ACCESS TO ELECTION-RELATED INFORMATION

  1. Subject to the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (“PAIA”), all registered parties, candidates and independent candidates commit to-
    1. respecting and fulfilling the right of access to information as provided for in section 32 of the Constitution, PAIA and other relevant laws;
    2. responding to any requests for information from the media in a timeous manner, without delay or undue formality, and to providing such information in an electronic format where practicable;
    3. providing accurate and credible information to the media that is not misleading in any way;
    4. facilitating access to any election-related meeting, rally or similar gathering, and not banning or hampering any media representative from attending;
    5. not interfering with any live townhall broadcasts and debates; and
    6. not tampering with, damaging or confiscating any media equipment including cellular phones or cameras.

FOSTERING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT: PROTECTION OF THE MEDIA[1]

  1. All registered parties, candidates and independent candidates commit to –
    1. not engaging in any act of intimidation, harassment, harm or other unlawful conduct against any media representative;
    2. not using any language, insinuation or conduct that may provoke, encourage or incite office-bearers, representatives, members or supporters to intimidate, harass or harm any media representative, either on- or offline;
    3. not supporting or condoning any intimidation, harassment or harm committed against any media representative;
    4. not supporting or condoning any abusive acts against any media representative through any form of communication, including anonymous calls or online threats;
    5. not singling out any media representative at any meeting, rally or similar gathering in a manner that may lead to intimidation, harassment or harmful conduct against that person;
    6. not revealing any personal information or details about any media representative, such as their home address or personal contact details, that may result in them being subjected to intimidation, harassment or harm;

[1] For purposes of this document, the terms “harassment” and harm” have the same meanings as defined in section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011.

  1. not supporting or condoning any act of cybercrime[1] against any media organisation or representative, including intercepting private communications, cyberbullying, cyberstalking or through coordinated inauthentic behaviour such as botnets;
  2. not making any false or defamatory allegations of bias or untoward behaviour against any media organisation or representative unless there is credible documentary evidence provided to support such claims;
  3. not attempting to bribe or induce any unlawful conduct from any media representative or abusing a position of power to attempt to influence their conduct;
  4. not instituting frivolous litigation or other legal proceedings against any media body or media representative;
  5. seeking conciliatory measures in any dispute against a media organisation or representative through engagement with editors or through complaints processes of media regulatory bodies;[2] and
  1. fully cooperating in any investigation into any unlawful act committed against any media representative.

ENDORSEMENT OF THE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

  1. All registered parties, candidates and independent candidates commit to-
    1. endorsing, complying with and promoting this Statement of Commitment in good faith and in a manner that gives meaningful effect to these provisions;
    2. informing all political office-bearers, representatives, members and supporters of this Statement of Commitment and assisting them in understanding its importance;
    3. instructing all political office-bearers, representatives, members and supporters to comply fully with this Statement of Commitment;
    4. publicly condemning any non-compliance with this Statement of Commitment such as any act of intimidation, harassment, harm or other unlawful conduct that undermines the media organisation or representative;
    5. establishing measures to address any non-compliance with this Statement of Commitment by any political office-bearer, representative, member or supporter;
    6. providing for special measures to protect the rights of female journalists and other marginalised groups who may face discrimination to enable them to perform their functions freely and without hindrance; and
    7. publicly affirming the important role of the media in informing the public and enabling the electorate to make considered decisions, as well as supporting the media to the widest extent possible to perform its constitutionally-mandated functions in the public interest.

[Ends.]

[1] For reference, see Chapter 2 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020 regarding the prohibited acts of cybercrimes.

[2] In this regard, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa has jurisdiction over the broadcast media and the Press Council of South Africa over print and online media.

Please find the link to the statement here.

Partners

SANEF Welcomes the Establishment of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa to Promote Media Freedom Across the Continent

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23 May 2024

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) welcomes the establishment of a new network to promote media freedom in Africa. This is an initiative of thirteen Africa Media Councils, which includes our own Press Council, dedicated to fair and just media regulation environments across the continent. The new organisation is called the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (Nimca)

Nimca was formed last week after the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) convened an inaugural meeting of African media councils in Cape Town.

We believe that the formation of this network signifies a robust commitment by these partner institutions to collaborate effectively. Through this partnership, we aim to play a meaningful role in fostering an African society where the media can operate freely and independently to the benefit of the public. The network will facilitate an ecosystem of support, enabling the sharing of best practices and promoting accountability and democracy across the continent.

The collaborative efforts of these councils underscore a collective dedication in upholding media freedom, ensuring that journalists can work without fear or favour. By promoting transparency and ethical standards, the network will contribute to the development of a vibrant and democratic media landscape in Africa.

SANEF looks forward to working closely with Nimca and our various partners to advance these objectives, strengthening the media’s role in building an informed and engaged society.

The thirteen councils, which formed Nimca, from East, West, and Southern Africa established the new body to bring together independent media content regulators from around the continent and to convene regularly to discuss the strengthening of media freedom, ethics, and public accountability on the continent.

Nimca has called on independent media regulators in other African countries to join the new organisation to promote self-regulation as the cornerstone of free, professional, and credible media in an evolving communications landscape where social media is implicated in the circulation of unethical and low-quality content.

Nimca’s objective is for the professional media to report, freely, and without fear of reprisals while at the same time being accountable to journalistic ethical standards and codes of practice. Its ethos and operations will be guided by the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, issued by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2019.

The Cape Town meeting agreed that the media, whether privately or government-funded, needs to operate in a free environment with no threats of censorship, intimidation, harassment, or physical threats to journalists, including online harassment.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223-0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF 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
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Nat Nakasa Awards

Call for Entries: Nat Nakasa Awards for Courageous Journalism 2024

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Deadline: Friday,14 June 2024

The South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF) is now accepting nominations for the Nat Nakasa Awards for Courageous Journalism, focusing on stories published in print or online or broadcast between June 2023 and June 2024:

  • – Nat Nakasa Award for Media Integrity.
  • – Nat Nakasa Award for Community Media

Nat Nakasa was a prominent journalist and writer who died in exile. This annual award recognises any media practitioner journalist or editor — who has:

Showed integrity and reported fearlessly.

Displayed a commitment to serving the people of South Africa despite insurmountable obstacles.

  • Resisted any censorship.

Showed courage in making information available to the South African public. Any combination of the above.

The Award is open to all journalists serving all media platforms from a community / national newspaper, magazine, or an electronic medium (including online publishers).

Nominations of deserving candidates/journalists can be done by members of the public, Editors, fellow journalists, and or their colleagues. Journalists can nominate themselves. Previous winners of this award are, however, not eligible for entry.

Please submit your nomination with a motivation of 300 words and a sample of or the body of work by close of business on Sunday 30 June 2024:

For Attention: Ms Dzudzie Netshisaulu

Email: [email protected] l 0790297656

The winner of the Nat Nakasa Award for Media Integrity will receive R20 000 in prize money and a certificate.

The winner of the Nat Nakasa Award for Community Media will receive R10 000 in prize money and a certificate.

The winner will be announced at the Nat Nakasa Awards ceremony on 14 September 2024 in Durban.

These awards are sponsored by Sanlam.

Note to Editors:

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 through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Prof Glenda Daniels – SANEF Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Heather Robertson – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 3085618
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (082) 610 9374
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Safety & Wellness

SANEF Calls on MK Party Leadership to Act Against Those Who Ill-treated Journalists at Their Rally at Orlando Stadium

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21 May 2024

“I was pushed aside by a man who touched my breasts as he aggressively wanted to make way for the arrival of Jacob Zuma”.

This was the account of one of the journalists who attended the MK Party rally at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. She told the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) that there were numerous complaints of harassment, intimidation, and aggressive behaviour towards journalists covering the rally – particularly female journalists.

Another journalist told SANEF how they were elbowed, by men wearing military fatigues, who became extremely aggressive by the minute.

SANEF condemns the acts of violence against journalists and calls on the leadership of the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party to act against those involved.

We will not tolerate such behaviour at political rallies, where political principals often fail to call their supporters to behave accordingly and afford journalists the space to do their work.

Last month SANEF shared its Statement of Commitment on Media Freedom and the Protection of Journalists, with The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which expands on Item 8 of the Electoral Code of Conduct on the role of the media. This states that the media must be enabled to perform its constitutionally mandated duties and functions in the public interest without fear, threat, or undue restriction.

It is disheartening that the MK Party bullies disregarded this important principle last Saturday. Unfortunately, we have not heard a word from the party’s leadership, in response to these dreadful incidents.

SANEF Statement of Commitment calls on all registered parties, candidates, and independent candidates to commit to

  • Not engage in any act of intimidation, harassment, harm, or other unlawful conduct against any media representative.
  • Not using any language, insinuation, or conduct that may provoke, encourage, or incite office-bearers, representatives, members, or supporters to intimidate, harass or harm any media representative, either on- or offline.
  • Not supporting or condoning any intimidation, harassment, or harm committed against any media representative.
  • Not supporting or condoning any abusive acts against any media representative through any form of communication, including anonymous calls or online threats.
  • Not singling out any media representative at any meeting, rally, or similar gathering in a manner that may lead to intimidation, harassment, or harmful conduct against that person.

With the elections on May 29, around the corner, SANEF calls on all political parties to respect journalists and their work. Journalists must be given the space to do the work without being disrespected or abused – particularly female journalists who continue to be intimidated, bullied, harassed and face horrendous, misogynistic treatment from some of the supporters, and sometimes the leaders, of political parties.

SANEF is of the view that parties that do not discourage such aggressive behaviour from their supporters, should not be surprised if some newsrooms choose not to send any staff to report on events where they are likely to be subjected to abuse.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223-0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF 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
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Partners

African Media Councils Form a Pan-African Network for Self-regulatory Bodies

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MEDIA STATEMENT: Friday 17 May 2024

In an African first, the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) was formed on Thursday 16 May 2024 after the inaugural meeting of African media councils convened by the South African Press Council in Cape Town, South Africa.

The 13 councils from East, West and Southern Africa resolved to establish the new body to bring together independent media content regulators from around the continent and to convene regularly to discuss the strengthening of media freedom, ethics and public accountability on the continent.

NIMCA calls on independent media regulators in other African countries to join the new organisation to promote self-regulation as the cornerstone of a free, professional and credible media in an evolving communications landscape where social media is implicated in the circulation of unethical and low-quality content.

NIMCA’s objective is for the professional media to report freely and without fear of reprisals while at the same time being accountable for living up to journalistic ethical standards and codes of practice.

NIMCA’s ethos and operations will be guided by the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, issued by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2019.

The Cape Town meeting agreed that the media, irrespective of whether it is privately or government funded, needs to operate in a free environment with no threats of censorship, intimidation, harassment or threats against journalists. This is because independent and professional journalism is a critical pillar of society that holds governments and other powerful actors accountable, informs the citizenry and help them understand their societies and events as they unfold.

The African media councils met during Africa Month and shortly after World Press Freedom Day and deliberated on a range of issues, from the governance of digital platforms and companies, through to developing a pan-African media ethics framework and ethos, along with UNESCO’s principles for a communications regulatory system that works to foster ethical and credible journalism.

The regulators emphasised that in jurisdictions where co-regulation is constitutionally stipulated, media councils and similar bodies must be allowed to self-regulate and act independently from government. They agreed that trust in and credibility of the media is vital for its survival, and that self-regulatory mechanisms are key to uphold professional standards and consider complaints where media fall short of meeting these.

Delegates also highlighted the issue of gender equity and sensitivity in the composition of regulatory bodies. The NIMCA executive body will in future be formed with equal representation of men and women.

Delegates from the media councils shared their best practices and challenges about press freedom, as well as how to foster ethical journalism in an environment where the media and its regulatory bodies face a crisis of funding and sustainability.

In a fast-changing digital environment, the media regulatory bodies noted that they need to provide guidance on how media should deal with ethical issues related to the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), convergence, and the need for new journalism curricula and training models.

Delegates highlighted the risks of social media being treated as a news source by the public, although this environment lacks effective quality standards and ethics, and where trustworthy content and journalism are increasingly hard to find.

The media councils recognised the importance of exploring new financial support models for the media, in order to promote, support and sustain journalism and the related independent self-regulation mechanisms in the industry.

The councils urged journalists, photographers and other media practitioners to uphold the basic tenets of journalism in order to fend off state regulation and punitive measures by those in positions of power.

They also commented on developments in Zambia and welcomed the commitment by the Zambian government to encourage media self-regulation as opposed to state regulation. They urged other countries to repeal repressive laws and policies gagging the media and ensure and promote media freedom.

In the case of Eswatini, where the government has warned that it may consider statutory regulation, delegates urged stakeholders to vigorously pursue a path towards self-regulation.

Delegates from UNESCO also participated in the meeting and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to support and collaborate with African media councils in advocating for freedom of expression, universal access to verified information and safety of journalists and media professionals in line with regional and internationally agreed goals and frameworks.

NIMCA will initially be led by the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), which also chairs the East Africa Press Council, represented by MCT executive secretary Ernest Sungura; together with representatives from the host of the inaugural meeting, Latiefa Mobara, executive director of the Press Council of South Africa; from West Africa George Sarpong, executive secretary/CEO of the National Media Commission in Ghana; and from Southern Africa Kennedy Mambwe, chairperson of the Media Self-Regulatory Council of Zambia. They will form the inaugural executive board of NIMCA to set up the organisation.

The MCT will host the 2025 NIMCA meeting, with support from UNESCO and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and will also act as the initial secretariat for NIMCA.

Sungura, the first NIMCA chair, said, “This is an important day for our media sector and eco-system. For too long our media councils have operated in silos with little engagement or information sharing. In a world that is increasingly connected, but also fracturing into echo chambers, NIMCA heralds a new era for building common approaches, deepening media freedom, foster stronger accountability systems and support credible, sustainable journalism across our continent.”

Participants from the following independent media regulatory bodies, some statutory and others non-statutory, participated in the inaugural meeting:

East Africa
Media Council of Tanzania
Media Council of Kenya
Media Council of Uganda
Rwanda Media Commission
Ethiopia Media Council
West Africa
National Media Commission, Ghana
Nigerian Press Council
Southern Africa
Namibia Media Ombudsman
Media Council of Malawi
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Media Commission
Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia
Press Council of South Africa

ENDS

Note to editors:
Issued by the newly formed Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) after its inaugural meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.
For interviews, please contact:

Please find the link to the media release here.

Media Freedom

SANEF Drives Conversations as It Joins Media Colleagues in the Commemoration of World Press Freedom Day

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03 May 2024

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins the world media fraternity in commemorating Press Freedom Day under the theme: “A Press for the Planet: Protecting Journalists and Scientists in Defence of the Environment.”

SANEF notes the clarion call made by UNESCO that in 2024, World Press Freedom Day should be dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.

Sadly, South Africa has this year slid down in the World Press Freedom index to 38th place. Last year, 2023, it was in place 25. The reasons given are that the economic indicators brought are the reasons for the drop.

According to UNESCO, awareness of all aspects of the global environmental crisis and its consequences is essential to build democratic societies. Journalistic work is indispensable for this purpose.

We note that journalists encounter significant challenges in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues, such as supply-chain problems, climate migration, extractive industries, illegal mining, pollution, poaching, animal trafficking, deforestation, or climate change. Ensuring the visibility of these issues is crucial for promoting peace and democratic values worldwide.

SANEF reiterates its urgent appeal to protect journalists in Gaza. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), as of May 1, 2024, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least ninety-seven journalists and media workers were among the more than 35,000 killed since the war began on October 7—with more than 34,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank and 1,200 deaths in Israel. It noted that of ninety-seven journalists and media workers confirmed dead, ninety-two were Palestinian, 2 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese.

We also call upon the media in the country to uphold their media code principles of fairness, balance, and accuracy as they report the events before, during, and after the 2024 elections in the country.

SANEF has partnered with various academic and media freedom stakeholders to host seminars today, Friday 3rd May, to debate relevant topics in the celebration of the country’s 30 years of democracy and press freedom. World Press Freedom Day provides the perfect platform to celebrate progress and forge deeper collaboration to achieve the goal of a Free Press that values linguistic diversity.

  • In Cape Town, we invite journalists and interest groups for an online seminar where the Press Council, SANEF, the University of Western Cape, and the Indigenous Languages Action Forum will discuss the significance of linguistic diversity in the South African media landscape. This is a result of recent translations of the Press Code into isiZulu; isiXhosa; Sepedi; Tsonga and Tshivenda and underscores the ongoing pursuit of linguistic inclusivity within the South African media landscape.
  • In the Eastern Cape, SANEF is working with the universities of Rhodes and Nelson Mandela, the Daily Dispatch, and the Herald to host a seminar discussing the State of Newsrooms in South Africa, three decades into democracy as newsrooms shrink and the ability to cover a wide variety of topics is proving to be more difficult.
  • In KwaZulu Natal, SANEF partnered with the Durban University of Technology to host a seminar at the university’s city campus to debate the theme: ‘A press for the Planet, Journalism in the face of environmental crises.

In the context of the world’s triple planetary crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution — UNESCO has argued that dis-/misinformation campaigns challenge knowledge and scientific research methods. Attacks on the validity of science pose a serious threat to pluralistic and informed public debate. Indeed, misleading, and false information about climate change can, in some cases, undermine international efforts to address them.

SANEF believes that dis-/misinformation about environmental issues can lead to a lack of public and political support for climate action, effective policies, and the protection of vulnerable communities affected by climate change as climate change tends to exacerbate existing inequalities.

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 through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

 

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Prof Glenda Daniels – SANEF Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Heather Robertson – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 3085618
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (082) 610 9374
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Media Freedom

Condemnation of State Security Agency’s Attempt to Vet SABC Head of News

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South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS) and the Campaign for Freedom of Expression (CFE) —express our grave concern over recent revelations in the City Press (28 April 2024) regarding the State Security Agency’s (SSA) attempt to yet again vet, Moshoeshoe Monare, the Head of News at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

This move by the SSA undermines the fundamental principles of media and editorial independence and freedom of the press. While the SABC may be a deemed a Critical Infrastructure in terms of the Critical Infrastructure Act, the Act is focused on the vetting of security personnel and not journalists.

While parliament did not accede to our requests during deliberations on the Bill that SABC journalists were to be specifically excluded, it is clear from the definition and aims of the Act that journalists are not included, and that vetting is for security personnel only.

Despite the clear threat to media freedom that the request to vet Monare poses, it is mind boggling and ridiculous that the request should come when the head of news has occupied the position for nearly two years! It is even more worrying that it comes just a month ahead of elections.

As organisations committed to upholding media freedom, journalistic integrity and safeguarding the public’s right to accurate information, we condemn this action unequivocally.

Accordingly, we call for immediate action:

1. SABC Board: As the body responsible for the SABC, we urge the SABC Board to publicly condemn any interference in its editorial processes and to uphold their responsibility to protect the independence of the SABC. The Head of News must be shielded from external pressures and political interference and be allowed to perform his editorial duties without fear or favour.

2.Minister in the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT): We call upon the Minister to publicly denounce this attempt to compromise media independence. The DCDT plays a crucial role in ensuring a free and vibrant media landscape, and any actions that undermine this must be addressed promptly.

3. Presidency: We implore the Presidency to join us in condemning this intrusion into the SABC’s affairs. The public deserves transparency and accountability, and we expect the highest office in the land to uphold these principles.

During an election period, it is even more critical that media are able to perform their duties without fear and intimidation. A politically compromised media is at risk of undermining a credible, free and fair election. We need to ensure, at all costs, that media, especially the public broadcaster are protected from any form of intimidation and threat.

We demand that the Minister and the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, identify the person (s) responsible for this interference and commit to swift disciplinary action. Those who seek to undermine media freedom must be held accountable.

For more:

  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF – +2771 682 3695
  • William Bird – MMA – +2782 887 1370
  • Thandi Smith – MMA- +2773 470 7306
  • Uyanda Siyotula – SOS – + 2760 691 2462
  • Anton Harber – CFE – +2783 303 9497

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