Social media has become one of the primary tools through which journalists carry out their work. Whilst the advent of this technology has greatly expanded the means by which journalists can communicate directly with the public, it has also brought about interesting new challenges for journalists as well as their employers.
Please click the link below for the social media policy guidelines produced by the Press Council. These guidelines will assist you in drawing up a social media policy for your journalists.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is disturbed to learn of an article published on SAFA’s website titled “City Press tendencies, typical of Stratcom behaviour”. While SANEF respects the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) right to challenge articles penned and published or broadcast by journalists, it is the name-calling and labelling of journalists and media houses that we find unnecessary.
SANEF’s rallying call is for political parties and other interested groups to approach the Ombud’s office through the Press Council and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), as independent judicial tribunals to challenge the accuracy of reports and those that breach media ethics and principles.
We also wish to remind SAFA that in January this year, Prof. Anton Harber and Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki won their defamation case against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for calling them spies associated with Stratcom, and the court declared that the allegations were defamatory and false.
We wish to reiterate that the labelling of journalists as members of ‘Stratcom’ – which was a notorious propaganda and disinformation unit of the security police under Apartheid – is dangerous and demeaning.
We believe that it is better to have an incorrect report properly investigated and sanctions imposed than resorting to social media attacks on journalists and creating a toxic atmosphere of conspiracy-mongering and hatemongering towards journalists and the media in general.
We also wish to remind SAFA about the agreement SANEF reached on 18 September 2019 at a roundtable at SAFA House, where we discussed ways to enhance the mutual understanding around football matters and administration.
The roundtable, attended by SAFA leadership and SANEF members, including SAFA President Danny Jordaan and CEO, Russel Paul and SANEF’s Gauteng Convenor, Hopewell Radebe, agreed on five principles of engagement going forward:
These were:
Open and honest engagements between SAFA and the media;
Access to SAFA leadership and players;
A level playing field where all media are granted fair and unbiased access to information and the need for SAFA to improve communication around its’ agenda, strategy, progress and challenges against its goals and finances; and
Availability and repository of data.
The fundamental underlying principle which both parties emphasized was the mutual respect for the independence of and upholding of the integrity of media organisations and their stakeholders. We hope that SAFA will keep its promise.
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 deeply concerned that community media journalist, Paul Nthoba, has been forced to flee the country and seek refuge in Lesotho.
Nthoba was assaulted by members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) on 15 May 2020 while profiling the visibility of police members who were making sure that citizens were adhering to the Covid-19 lockdown rules and regulations. He was physically abused and beaten up in the township of Meqheleng, close to the Lesotho border.
Following this traumatic incident, Nthoba went to the Ficksburg police station to lay a charge but instead of being assisted by the police, he faced further abuse.
While at the police station, the same police officers that had assaulted him, arrived and wanted to bar him from opening a case, and instead they insisted that he should be charged for contravening the Disaster Management Act. We understand Nthoba was further assaulted while in the charge office.
Nthoba told SANEF that he decided to cross the border into Lesotho to seek refuge at the United Nations offices in Lesotho because he feared for his life. Following the assault, he has seen marked police vehicles patrolling his street and another parked in the street a few meters from his home, with no explanation. His family became extremely concerned and he decided to flee.
He reached out to the United Nations office in Lesotho and the Lesotho government and together they have been protecting him. He has been placed under quarantine due to the Coronavirus restrictions.
The same SAPS officers who assaulted him, remain on duty.
Nthoba has confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), an agency of the South African government responsible for investigating complaints against the SAPS and municipal police services, came to see him on Monday. He was in the process of completing his supplementary and detailed statement for IPID when he observed the intimidatory tactics of the SAPS officers.
Nthoba has pleaded for assurance from the SAPS that he will be safe.
SANEF Chairperson Mahlatse Mahlase said: “We need the Police to give assurance that he can return home and will be safe. It is unacceptable that a South African citizen must fear the very people who are supposed to protect him. We would also like to know what action the SAPS will be taken against the police officers that remain on duty in the small town”.
Finally, SANEF has been in contact with the Minister of Police and has also formally written to him. He has assured us that he will take this matter up with the national and provincial police commissioners to ensure that this issue is dealt with as a matter of urgency.
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.
For 14 years, this award has been recognizing and encouraging watchdog journalism, but never before have we done it under such challenging circumstances.
Judges remarks for the 14th Taco Kuiper Award for Investigative Journalism delivered by Anton Harber, convener of judges, please click the following link for the complete speech: JudgesSpeech2020FINAL.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply disturbed to hear of the abuse of community media journalist, Paul Nthoba, by the South African Police Services (SAPS), in a township Meqheleng, close to the Lesotho border. However, we are even more deeply disturbed to hear of the abuse and incarceration he subsequently experienced at the Ficksburg police station, where he went to lay an assault charge.
On 15 May 2020 at around 2 pm, Nthoba was on a news-gathering assignment in Ficksburg focusing on the Covid-19 news coverage for the community newspaper he had launched, Mohokare News.
Nthoba was profiling the visibility of the police members who were making sure that citizens were adhering to the lockdown rules and regulations. Nthoba reported that he saw the police patrolling the streets, and he captured a few photos. However, the police members objected. They accosted him, confiscated his phone, and told him that he had not explicitly requested their permission. An argument ensued, and they started attacking, insulting, and assaulting him. SANEF has an audio recording of this abusive interaction.
Immediately after this traumatic incident, Nthoba went to the Ficksburg police station to lay a charge. When he got to the station, the same police officers arrived and started protesting that he should not be allowed to open the case; instead, they insisted that he should be charged for contravening the Disaster Management Act. They again assaulted him while in the charge office, accusing him of causing trouble for them ever since he had established his newspaper. He was then kept for four hours in the holding cells.
Nthoba was then taken to the Fiksburg Hospital to deal with his injuries and trauma.
SANEF is deeply concerned to hear about this abuse out in the field – but also, even more worryingly, at the police station, the very place where Nthoba had sought refuge and to hold the police offices accountable.
SANEF notes that community media platforms present critical local alternatives to mainstream print and broadcasting. We believe that they play an important role in diversifying the media, profiling local voices, reflecting local struggles, and building communities by holding local authorities to account. We believe that journalists and media at this level, often experience more abuse than affluent, often more high-profile mainstream media – we thus must ensure their protection. We believe that SAPS leadership – and the leadership of all security authorities – should apply a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment towards all our media.
Finally, SANEF will be taking this matter up with the security authorities at the highest levels – including the list of other abuse charges that have taken place under lockdown. SANEF has had several informal discussions with the SAPS, with IPID and with the Metropolitan Police in Cape Town. We now have consolidated a list of abuses. Once again, we will be calling for a meeting with the National Commissioner of Police, IPID and the Metropolitan police in Cape Town.
For more information please contact:
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 pressing need for good reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged a growing list of donors to offer grants to journalists. In addition, offers of aid to publishers are also being made available in light of the increased financial pressures on small businesses.
A number of funding deadlines have passed but please see below for those that are open.
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is partnering with the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP) to administer nine grants to independent local news organizations in South Africa that are producing quality journalism amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
This grant program will provide urgent financial support for independent publishers with a special focus on investigative journalism and local news organizations that are providing trustworthy information about COVID-19.
Applications opened on 5 May 2020.
Please click on the links below for more information and how to apply:
The National Geographic Society has launched an emergency fund for journalists around the world who wish to cover COVID-19 within their communities. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 will be given “for local coverage of the preparation, response, and impact of this global pandemic as seen through evidence-based reporting.”
TheNational Geographic fund “will place particular emphasis on delivering news to underserved populations”. The fund is interested in “local and even hyper-local distribution models,” and wants to see stories “of inequities that COVID-19 has brought to light.”
Writers, photographers, videographers, audio journalists, cartographers, filmmakers, and data visualization experts may apply for this funding.
International Women’s Media Foundation (Global)– The IWMF’s Journalism Relief Fund is open to women-identifying journalists in dire straits — journalists who have faced significant financial hardship, lost work, were recently laid off or who urgently need assistance to avoid severe, irreversible outcomes. This fund will provide small grants of up to $2,000 per request. Note: Special consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis to those who have greater financial need.
Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (Global)– Funds are only available to those who cannot work because they are currently ill or caring for someone who is ill, not those who have lost work, according to the sponsor, the American Society of Journalists and Authors. “Writers who apply do not have to live in the United States but must submit books or articles written in English.”
The Unemployed Insurance Fund – the UIF has introduced a special new coronavirus benefit, aimed at workers affected by the pandemic.
Employers need to apply for the coronavirus benefit if they can’t afford to pay their workers. The maximum amount recipients will get is R6 730 a month. If you have lost your job, you can claim an unemployment benefit from the UIF – and if your company reduced your working hours, you can also put in a claim.
If your company put you on unpaid leave during this time, or if you have been laid off temporarily – or if a company can only afford to pay a part of your salary – you can get a special payout from the UIF, as part of the Covid-19 Temporary Relief scheme, also known as the special Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS). A business has to apply to the UIF to get money to pay workers. It will have to prove that it suffered a severe knock from the lockdown. If approved, the UIF will pay out money per worker for up to three months. The UIF offices are closed, but you can register online at https://www.ufiling.co.za/. From the home page, click on the ‘Activate my uFiling account’ button and follow the on-screen instructions. You will receive a case number to track your progress. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] for guidance.
For the coronavirus benefit, you can’t apply – your employer has to. Businesses need to mail [email protected] to register their companies for the payout. The UIF hotline for the coronavirus benefit is 012 337 1997.
SANEF will be updating this list regularly.
Please notify us at [email protected] if there are any further funds or funding that you know is available.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lungile Tom, a cameraman, who worked at eNCA at the company’s Cape Town office. Lungile was turning 46 this year.
Lungile Tom was admitted to hospital on Sunday night, May 10, with COVID-19 related symptoms.
He was tested and admitted to intensive care. Lungile’s test results confirmed that he had COVID-19 and he passed away in hospital this morning, Wednesday May 13.
eMedia Chief Operating Officer Antonio Lee said, “Lungile joined eNCA in December 2013 as an ENG Camera Operator. Prior to this, he worked at CNBC Africa. He stated, “Lungile was known for his larger than life personality and his dedication to his craft. His buoyant laughter will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, Nandipha and his children.”
We have been informed that eNCA in adherence to government regulations have disinfected and closed the affected floor and that the company has instituted a tracing and tracking process. Employees who have had contact with Lungile have been advised to stay at home. They will be tested and will go into self-isolation if needed.
SANEF believes that this tragic death points to the very dangerous work that journalists do, working on the frontline. We call on all media companies to assist journalists with protective gear and for journalists to be extra careful and follow all safety precautions. We also call on media companies, where possible, to assist journalists with trauma counselling. SANEF has included a number of resources on its website to assist media companies and journalists in this very difficult time. Please see a link to them here and here.
SANEF sends its heartfelt condolences to Lungile’s family, friends and colleagues.
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 International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is partnering with the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP) to administer nine grants to independent local news organizations in South Africa that are producing quality journalism amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
This grant program will provide urgent financial support for independent publishers with a special focus on investigative journalism and local news organizations that are providing trustworthy information about COVID-19.
Please click the links below for more information and how to apply:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is concerned by an ANC statement published on 6 May 2020 in which it accused a national weekend newspaper, Rapport of peddling misinformation.
The ANC statement failed to mention the title and author of the article, date of publication and page where the alleged false headlines and content were published.
Editor of Rapport, Waldimar Pelser states, “accusations of spreading misinformation should not be made without offering evidence of factual errors, which after three days, the ANC had not yet produced. In this case, we believe the only “mistake” we made was to upset the ANC by reporting on government’s attempts to centralise the distribution of food parcels, which lead to thousands of KZN families waiting more than a week for aid.”
While SANEF recognizes the right of the ANC to challenge reports and to express its opinions on any article published, we believe it needs to back up its accusations with relevant facts. Further, we believe that the ANC should have engaged with the editor and/or reported any inaccuracies to the Press Ombud’s office.
The Press Ombud, in the case of online and print publications and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) in the case of broadcasting, has powers to investigate and sanction media houses that report false or inaccurate information. SANEF calls on the ANC to recognize these processes and mechanisms for channelling complaints. We believe that in this way it will then lead by example.
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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