The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly condemns the unlawful and intimidatory actions by supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on eNCA Journalists. The supporters harassed and prevented eNCA journalists from covering a protest in Tokai, Cape Town earlier today (10 June 2021).
We believe that the deplorable actions of intimidation against eNCA anchor Ayesha Ismail and cameraman Mario Pedro have severe implications for journalism. A video circulating on social media shows the threats being made to the eNCA team. They were told to leave, and one supporter even threatened them with a sjambok while another is heard saying “we gonna teach you all a good lesson”.
The EFF’s hostility towards eNCA dates back to December 2019 when the EFF declared that Daily Maverick, their investigative unit Scorpio, and independent investigative journalism unit amaBhungane would no longer be ‘allowed’ to cover EFF events or briefings.
SANEF had warned that the ban imposed on various media entities infringed on the right to freedom of expression guaranteed in section 16 of the Bill of Rights. At the time eNCA took a conscious decision to stand in solidarity with their colleagues, as a result, the EFF banned eNCA from its events for their investigative work.
This is not the first time that EFF supporters have prevented eNCA journalists from doing their work. On a previous occasion, students aligned with the EFF prevented eNCA from covering University protests.
Given the actions recorded today, SANEF calls on the leadership of the EFF, as a political party in a parliamentary democracy, to condemn such behaviour. The media is an essential cog in the promotion of democracy. It acts as a mirror to society and, as such, is opened to listening to — and publicising — all points of view. Political formations that are, in any sense, democratic, should engage with — and not abuse and shun — the media.
SANEF believes that the curtailment of the rights of journalists to do their job deprives society of the truth. Any harassment and attacks on journalists eventually lead to self-censorship. In the run-up to the local government elections, it is important for political parties to support all journalists and foster an enabling and conducive environment for journalists to do their work.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) supports an urgent call by the Committee to Protect Journalists for Zimbabwean authorities to free jailed New York Times freelance journalist Jeffrey Moyo, and condemns the deportation of his two colleagues, Christina Goldbaum and Joao Silva.
The deportation and arrests raise the alarm about ongoing media freedom violations in Zimbabwe.
Moyo was arrested on May 26 in Harare, and charged with violating Section 36 of the Immigration Act for alleged misrepresentations to officials about the accreditation status of Goldbaum and Silva, according to the CPJ, which spoke to Moyo’s lawyer, Doug Coltart in Zimbabwe.
The two New York Times journalists arrived in the country from South Africa on May 5, and were deported three days later, allegedly because they did not have proper accreditation from the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, said that Moyo should never have been detained, let alone charged. “The fact that he was arrested, and his New York Times colleagues forced to leave the country, shows that Zimbabwe continues to violate the right to press freedom and the public’s right to know,” she said.
The CPJ reported that the New York Times was assisting Moyo’s lawyers to secure his release. “Jeffrey is a widely respected journalist with many years of reporting experience in Zimbabwe and his detainment raises troubling questions about the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe,” said New York Times spokesperson Nicole Taylor.
Moyo also freelances for Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper and Norway’s Bistandsaktuelt.
Silva is an acclaimed South African photojournalist who has been working for the New York Times for several years.
Moyo has been incarcerated at a Bulawayo prison over the weekend pending a bail application ruling due on Monday, according to reports. He had been transferred from Harare to appear in a Bulawayo magistrate’s court with a co-accused, Zimbabwe Media Commission official Thabang Manhika.
In a statement posted on Facebook and emailed to CPJ after publication, the Zimbabwe Media Commission alleged that two individuals “claiming to be New York Times reporters” had been deported after having obtained “forged” accreditation from “a properly accredited local reporter for the same New York Times with the alleged collusion of a ZMC member of staff.”
Coltart said Moyo had denied allegations of faking accreditation details. The CPJ has described the charges as baseless.
These latest incidents follow the harassment of prominent journalist and government critic Hopewell Chin’ono, who was arrested and charged three times within 6 months last year. Chin’ono has appeared frequently in court this year, fighting numerous contempt and incitement court battles. He says that he is being persecuted for his role in uncovering corruption in the acquisition of Covid-19 medical supplies.
Sanef also notes with concern the statement by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, which, in marking World Press Freedom Day on May 3, noted that there had been seven attacks on journalists by state security agents in Zimbabwe this year. In 2020, 52 cases of attacks on journalists were recorded.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is appalled by the continued harassment of Lesedi FM journalist Mantsheuwa Mofokeng and other former SABC employees.
Mofokeng and two others former SABC journalists Matshediso Mokaeane and Naka Moloi are currently the victims of a vicious cyberbullying campaign that started in October last year.
In the latest poster created and widely distributed on social media this week, fellow Lesedi FM journalist Dimakatso Motsoeneng’s face has been added to the smear campaign.
Unknown persons have made unsubstantiated claims that the four are involved in a so-called “sex for jobs” scandal at Lesedi FM. The creators have used fake email addresses and fake Facebook accounts to distribute the malicious allegations. In the posters being widely distributed, pictures from pornographic websites are used as part of an obscene plot to destroy their reputations.
We believe that this is a classic case of cyberbullying which affects the journalists’ ability to work and damages their credibility as journalists.
We welcome the police’s investigation into the cyberbullying, harassment, and defamation of the SABC journalists. We are hoping for a speedy conclusion and for perpetrators to be brought to book to send a message that such action will not be tolerated or left unchallenged.
SANEF condemns the continued use of social media as a weapon to silence journalists, especially women journalists. Too often women journalists are sexualised, body shamed, called names, and even threatened with rape in a desperate effort to force them to leave journalism.
The savage actions have a lasting impact on the journalists’ mental health.
Following its Media Ethics and Sustainability conference earlier this month, SANEF has prioritised mental health awareness and support for journalists. We plead with all newsroom managers and media companies to act quickly against these acts and ensure women journalists receive adequate mental health support as soon as possible.
If there are allegations of abuse of power related in particular to sexual harassment allegations, they should also be investigated immediately because they hurt employee morale, lower productivity, cause high employee turnover and frequent absenteeism as well as cause stress-related illnesses.
Society needs to send a strong message that it is appalled by these cheap attempts to malign female reporters.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
Barely a week after we celebrated International World Press Freedom Day on 5 May 2021, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) notes the harrowing online attack on another female journalist by a senior politician. This time Ms Bathabile Dlamini, President of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), has singled out seasoned journalist Qaanitah Hunter, political editor at News24. This after News24 published an article titled “Bathabile Dlamini faces resistance over calls for ANCWL to support Magashule”.
Taking to Twitter – a social media platform that has become synonymous with the most vitriolic and atrocious attacks against mainly women journalists – the ANCWL president, who has 22 600 followers on Twitter, accused Hunter of deliberately “spreading lies” and being “bankrolled” by a “Master” to “destroy the ANC”.
Her tweets further refer to Hunter as “misogynistic” and “an insult to the struggle for women’s emancipation” and further labelled her as an “information peddler”. SANEF notes that News24’s lawyers have called for an unconditional retraction of the accusations and for an apology to be published on Twitter and other platforms, noting the defamatory nature of the statements. A deadline of 24 hours was given, or else further legal action will follow.
SANEF again reminds political and all sector leaders of the consequences of any attempts to intimidate journalists and the dangerous impact it has on media freedom. Media freedom is the lifeblood of our democracy and is protected by the Constitution. Governments in Africa, and the rest of the world, have been urged by the United Nations General Assembly to protect and defend media freedom. Media Freedom was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at the 26th session of UNESCO’s general conference in 1991. This after a call by African journalists (including key SANEF founder members) who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration.
As our country prepares for the upcoming local government elections, political parties must maintain cordial relations with the media. In the first instance, all complaints should be directed at the editors-in-chief of media entities or the relevant self-regulatory body. This is the Press Ombudsman for print and online, and the BCCSA for broadcast complaints.
There is ample evidence to show that the naming and targeting of journalists online lead to further harassment and intimidation by political party supporters, sometimes physical or in the form of death threats. Journalists must not be placed in the middle of political or inter-party factional disputes that is so endemic in the South African political landscape.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
We join the world in marking World Press Freedom Day an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the long and sometimes arduous journey to an independent but protected media. It is also an opportunity for all of us – government, opposition, civil society, citizens and journalists – to commit to doing our part to ensure that journalists do their work without fear or favour. It is also an opportunity to contribute to strengthening our deepening democracy.
It was on this day in 1991 – that journalists from across the continent – stood up to demand and chart a plan for an Independent and Pluralistic African Media. The journalists were standing up against being persecuted for speaking truth to power. Many lived in constant fear of imprisonment and even death. Their deep commitment and desire to bring to an end the gagging of media by dictatorship and autocratic regimes in parts of the continent became a catalyst for reform here in Africa and the world.
In 1991 when the journalists gathered in Windhoek – leading to the Windhoek Declaration – South Africa was on the cusp of democracy that promised a new world that would bring to an end the apartheid regime. It was a regime that tortured, arrested and banished journalists for daring to expose its violation of human rights and crimes against humanity.
30 years on, the world is a different place and South Africa now has one of the most celebrated constitutions. Today we celebrate Section 16 of the Constitution that states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression – which includes freedom of the press and other media.”
The founders of our constitution were clear – that the media had to be protected – to ensure we move away from any attempts by any other government of the day to silence media if they did not act as a mouthpiece for their propaganda.
Today we celebrate the bravery of South African journalists. They are part of the holding pillars of our democracy and shining the mirror on our flawed society, bedevilled by inequality, thievery and an overall betrayal of the promises of democracy.
It has not been an easy journey – We have been called unpatriotic, racists, enemies, spies etc by those who want their shameful actions to remain out of the public eye.
Today, we sit and listen to the State Capture Inquiry hearing in detail what journalists have exposed in the past decade.
We are asking those in power; why they chose not to see and not to act as the media exposed the corruption day after day.
Because the truth is – if they chose not to turn a blind eye – the cost could perhaps have not been as great as it is. Just maybe, we couldn’t be here – unable to support those in need as COVID-19 wreaks havoc to livelihoods. Our State-Owned Entities would not be in shambles, shedding jobs, and threatening what’s left of our economy and perhaps many more would have decent homes and access to basic necessities like water and shelter. Because that is the real cost of silence in the face of wanton looting.
While we have the media’s rights enshrined in our constitution, we have learnt in the 27-year journey of our democracy that even when guaranteed – FREEDOM STILL NEED DEFENDERS.
Apart from the politicians who threaten journalists, the advent of technology has also brought new threats like the often coordinated cyberbullying of journalists. Social Media is supposed to be a platform of engagement that could be a great instrument of giving people a voice as they interact with politicians and even journalists directly, but in parts, it has become a cesspool of insults, threats, and misogyny with women journalists being sexualized. It is being used as a weapon to silence journalists with chilling effects on the younger journalist, especially.
While some of the culprits are bots, we have seen politicians actively agitating for the assault of journalists and even when the attacks are done in their name – they have instead of calling for an end – savoured.
Social Media has also been used to spread conspiracies to tarnish journalists to weaken the critical journalism they produce. “The United Nations plan of action on the safety of journalists warns that every attack on a journalist distorts reality by creating a climate of fear and self-censorship.
At this time, the biggest threat to journalism is job insecurity for practitioners. The financial pressures that have plagued the media industry have been exacerbated by Covid-19. The regulations put in place to try to curb the spread of the pandemic saw already reduced advertising revenue nearly disappear almost immediately.
Those who were already on the brink – couldn’t survive and were forced to shut down. Many others remain open but have had to retrench to keep themselves financially viable or journalists have had to continue working with salary cuts.
An investigation done by SANEF at the beginning of Lockdown last year found that as many as 700 journalists lost their job while some magazine publishers and 80 small print publications were forced to shut down.
Yes, the journalists have lost a livelihood and will join the millions in the unemployment queues. But the biggest impact is on our democracy. It means our quest for the multiplicity of voices and diversity of coverage has really suffered a major blow.
Community publications are able to shine a light in the rural parts of our country – most neglected and hold the local government authorities accountable. They give those in the small towns – a much-needed voice in their own languages – in our country where the loudest dominate mainstream media in English.
The absence of those community publications will be felt even more now as we head to the local government elections that is the coalface of government and the absence of delivery of services has been felt most.
But smaller newsroom even in mainstream publications means that some stories will just not see the light of day while investigative journalism will shrink.
The financial pressures facing the industry has seen a shift to online publication. It has opened new opportunities for the industry and alternatives for audiences. We see the number of people reading news online continuing to increase and this can only get better given the number of people with smartphones in our country. Many have argued that this is the answer but the financial model is yet to be perfected.
Access also remains a major challenge for the majority. Data cost is a barrier and subscription walls are also going up as media houses fight for survival. The subscription walls are necessary because good journalism needs to be funded.
While the picture sometimes looks grim – it is not hopeless. We need to reposition the role of journalism in our democracy.
Firstly, it is important that we all advocate for the work of journalists as critical to the functioning of our democracy. We have to see and shout to the rooftops that their work is in public service.
And it starts with everyone standing up in defence of journalists. It cannot be left to organizations like SANEF or Media Monitoring Africa and other lobby groups to face off with those who want to escape scrutiny.
We need more voices to protect our journalists – to condemn politicians who think it’s okay for journalists to be groped or pushed around, politicians who refuse to condemn supporters who threaten to rape and beat up journalists or those that label journalists apartheid spies.
If the work of journalists is a public good – then society must stand in its defence, as media freedom is about our South Africa that we all want to flourish. It is about the right of South Africans to be informed and enable their participation in their democracy.
We also need new funding models that support journalism as a public good. We have been looking at various models.
We have seen in some countries – government support to media houses to protect their sustainability – and importantly that support has not diluted their independence.
Tax rebates have helped keep many media houses open and allowed for journalists to continue doing their work.
We are also hoping that others like telecoms will come to the party – and ensure that credible news platforms that are regulated by the Press Council – are zero-rated – to allow for wider access.
As SANEF – we have held a mirror to ourselves. We have taken the unprecedented step – to investigate ethical lapses in our own newsrooms because we believed we cant hold others accountable – and not do so ourselves.
It was an acknowledgement that while there are those who are driving a wedge between us and the South African public – we have not always done right – weakening the critical trust relationship with those we serve.
We have concluded the Ethics Inquiry led by Judge Kathleen Satchwell and veteran journalists Rich Mkhondo and Nikiwe Bikitsha.
It has provided us with an opportunity to introspect and we are now looking at a five-year Ethics Plan to ensure a continuous drive for journalism to meet the highest ethical standards. The plan will be debated and adopted at an ethics and credibility conference to be held later this month.
We have already held a series of webinars – looking at the 69 recommendations by the Satchwell Report and debated them to help inform our plan. Some of the recommendations – are beyond SANEF’s mandate but demand various sectors of society to do their part.
As we mark this World Press Freedom Day, let us remember the long road we have travelled, the battles we have won and the challenges that lie ahead.
More importantly let us commit ourselves to ensure a free, independent, thriving and sustainable media.
I thank you
Mahlatse presented this speech at the University of Johannesburg’s World Press Freedom Day event on 3 May 2021.
May 3 is World Press Freedom Day and SANEF joins media freedom organisations and journalists across the world to call on governments in Africa and abroad to protect and defend media freedom.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at the 26th session of UNESCO’s general conference in 1991. It was a call by African journalists (including key SANEF founder members) who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration.
SANEF, when founded in 1996, adopted the Windhoek Declaration – which was consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – which called for the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic, and free press as an essential part of the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, and for economic development.
The founding journalists and publishers of the Windhoek Declaration maintained that the African States should be encouraged to provide constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press and freedom of association.
In 2021 journalists are facing increased attacks, including imprisonment, torture, and murder. In South Africa journalists are attacked by criminals, are harassed by cyberbullies online, receive death threats and- women journalists especially – are often targeted by party political supporters.
The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day: “Information as a Public Good”, underlines the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information. It shines the light on the “essential role of free and professional journalists in producing and disseminating this information, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content, ” says Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
Over the past 25 years, SANEF has championed media freedom and fought to ensure that journalists are safe and protected while speaking truth to power. Added to the stranglehold of daily attacks and intimidation, our journalists (along with all frontline workers) brave the threat of Covid-19 infections and risk to their health in their efforts to bring us the truth. In South Africa, media freedom is enshrined and protected in our Constitution. It is the right of every citizen to protect media freedom and freedom of expression. If media freedom is threatened, our democracy suffers.
SANEF believes journalists have played a significant role for the public good especially under the Covid-19 pandemic. We will continue to campaign for media that is ethical and truthful at our upcoming Ethics conference later this month.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) calls on political leaders to stop interfering in newsroom matters.
SANEF is concerned about the continued utterances from senior political leaders naming journalists and interfering in the operations of newsrooms – the heart of the media freedom bulwark.
As the country prepares for the upcoming local government elections, it is critical for political parties to maintain an arms-length approach when dealing with the media. History shows us that when politicians involve themselves in the inner workings of a newsroom – in this case, the public broadcaster – independence is eroded. It is dangerous. The online naming and targeting of journalists lead to harassment and attacks by political party followers and even physical and death threats.
We note the comments made by an EFF leader Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on social media naming the SABC Editor in Chief Phatiswa Magopeni and accusing her of a “ruthless reign” citing allegations that SABC journalist Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki was pushed out and that veteran journalist is next. He further alludes that the SABC is “killed” by the ruling party and is a “lite” of commercial television news broadcaster ENCA. Statements of this nature smack of irresponsible and knee-jerk utterances. It borders on interference and overreach in the inner workings of the news management. Further, it has been widely publicised that Ms Gqubule-Mbeki has resigned from the SABC and had submitted a press statement to this effect.
SANEF does not get involved in labour matters but we are against politicians interfering in the internal affairs of media houses. If Mr Ndlozi as an MP has any concerns of any nature about the SABC, he should boldly raise them through the relevant portfolio committee in Parliament.
Journalists have a right to resign from an organisation including the public broadcaster. Journalists who have concerns with their management are encouraged to raise these via the normal channels and pursue alternative options available to them.
As we prepare to commemorate World Press Freedom Day tomorrow Monday, 3 May, we appeal to all in leadership positions, including politicians, to protect media freedom and allow newsrooms to function independently without interference. Journalists must not be placed in the middle of political and/ or inter-party factional disputes that are so endemic in the South African political landscape.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
On 25 April 2021, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) condemns the intimidation of SABC Radio news journalist Phanuel Shuma. He was forced to lay a charge of intimidation with the police on Thursday after two brothers accused of murder and a prosecutor accused of taking a bribe, to derail their case, at his place of work, the SABC offices in Pretoria. Brothers Manqoba and Lucky Khoza are out on bail. Prosecutor Solly Leballo also out on bail, is facing bribery and corruption charges for allegedly taking R100 000 from one of the accused to derail the murder case.
Shuma says he was targeted for writing a story about the case. This after eyewitnesses contacted him after one of the witnesses in the case was shot dead two weeks ago in Rethabiseng near Bronkorspruit. Julius Nyundu was gunned down in full view of his wife, a relative and his five children. The entire family is now in hiding fearing for their lives.
The investigating officer on the initial murder case that led to the arrest of the Khoza brothers and their sibling in July 2018, is in witness protection.
Shuma says when the men arrived at his workplace, he was afraid to meet them in person and instead spoke to them on the phone from the safety of his office. The men told him they were not happy with his recent report in which they say linked them to Nyundu’s murder and accused them of intimidation.
Shuma told the men to raise their complaints with the BCCSA or the SABC Head Office in Johannesburg.
“They said they wanted to see and meet the journalist who reported the story in question. I became even more scared. I strongly believe their visit to my workplace was a clear act of intimidation and perhaps to harm me,” added Shuma.
SANEF is concerned over the recent escalation in attacks against journalists and calls on the law enforcement authorities to act speedily to investigate the case and to bring the perpetrators to book. SANEF reminds the South African Police Services and the National Prosecutions Authorities to honour the new UN resolution on the safety of journalists which signals a strong international commitment to end all attacks, reprisals, intimidation, and violence against journalists. State institutions are urged to commit to using their powers to protect the safety of journalists and not to allow anyone to harass and intimidate journalists.
Sanef calls on our government to prevent and remedy all human rights violations against journalists. Failure to prioritise the safety of journalists creates a climate of fear which pushes journalists into self-censorship and silence. ARTICLE 19 encourages all States to continue to engage with civil society on ways to enhance their response to threats facing journalists as we look to the future.
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) condemns the robbery at gunpoint of an eNCA news crew. The journalists were reporting on the lack of service delivery in Khayelistha, Cape Town on Tuesday.
SANEF has learnt that eNCA reporter Monique Mortlock and camera operator Asanda Javu were left traumatised after being robbed by four gun-wielding men and had all their work equipment and cellphones stolen.
While noting that none were physically harmed, Sanef is deeply troubled that such traumatic experiences leave long-lasting emotional scars.
ENCA has also condemned the attack on their journalists. “As eNCA we’re appalled by this brazen act of criminality that was committed against two of our team members,” John Bailey, eNCA managing editor said.
“This callous act occurred during broad daylight, while Monique and Asanda were covering an issue about the impact of poor service delivery on lives of the Khayelitsha community. We’re appealing to the law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and arrest these coward criminals,” Bailey added.
SANEF reiterates calls for leaders in all sectors of South Africa especially political and community to play a role in promoting the safety of journalists. The protection of journalists and their safety is a protection and preservation of media freedom. Journalists must report the news without fear of political reprisal, intimidation by communities or attacks by criminals.
SANEF also calls on the law enforcements agents to spare no effort to find the criminals and bring them to justice.
SANEF reminds all South Africans that by ensuring the safety of every reporter they empower themselves as a protected journalist will go to the most dangerous places to deliver on the most important information, to give a voice to people who are being ignored and abused, and to hold the powerful to account. According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “when journalists are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price” as “no democracy is complete without press freedom … Journalism and the media are essential to peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights for all.”
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 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 and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) calls on political leaders to stop interfering in newsroom matters.
