The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held its webinar on Monday, 1 June 2020 to discuss the impact coronavirus has had on the media industry.
The webinar was chaired by EWN’s Editor-in-Chief and SANEF Chairperson Mahlatse Mahlase with panelists News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson, SABC’s Editor-in-Chief Phathiswa Magopeni, AIP Executive Director Carol Mohlala, and Researcher Reg Rumney.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) launched its “Covid19 impact on Journalism” report. The report was launched at a webinar held on 1 June 2020.
The hope is that this desktop research will be a starting point to assist the media industry in developing a way forward – leading to practical projects to assist journalists and the industry.
SANEF will be announcing plans for the second phase shortly.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held a virtual meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday 31 May 2020. The meeting followed the battle South Africa has been having with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual meeting with our SANEF delegation and senior editors of different media houses, afforded President Ramaphosa an opportunity to listen to the challenges and the plight of the media industry as it faces the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, 1 June 2020, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is launching its “Covid19 impact on Journalism” report. Our hope is that this desktop research will be a starting point to assist us in developing a way forward – leading to practical projects to assist journalists and the industry. We will be announcing our plans for the second phase shortly.
The report will be launched at a webinar that will be held today at noon.
Please register to participate at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7JLUOOwfRVe5-omYa2OZnA
Some of the important conclusions of the report point to the following:
The biggest upside of this dark period for the industry has been the massive surge in traffic to credible online news sources. Traffic to news websites increased by 72% in March, while these sites saw a 44% growth in unique browsers. Many news websites saw double-digit growth in their audience numbers, with News24, Business Insider, The Citizen, Fin24 and EWN growing their traffic with more than 50% in March. In terms of the SABC, the average audience for Zulu language TV news on SABC, the week after the national disaster was declared, increased 40% and Xhosa News audiences rose by 60%.
That the print industry has been placed under particular pressure. The first and most visible casualty was the magazine industry with the closure of two magazine publishers with the loss of 97 jobs at the one publisher and up to 250 at the other. Away from the limelight, small, independent, hyperlocal print publications were also ravaged. This was in the first phase of the lockdown as small publishers were unable to access emergency funding, resulting in the loss of an estimated 300 to 400 journalist jobs. Also, workers at three of the so-called Big 4 print media companies were forced to take salary cuts of up to 45% and temporary lay-offs have been widely implemented.
That neither the regional and national newspapers of the Big 4 South African publishers nor broadcasting was immune to the plunge in advertising, which varies from an estimated 40% to 100%. Added to this was the disappearance of third-stream revenue from such sources as the hosting of events. Subscriber revenue has never been more valuable.
That the crisis brought on by the Covid-19 lockdowns has pushed over the edge operations that were imperiled or survivalist, and arguably have highlighted fissures in the news media industry. How well the news media will emerge from the crisis will depend on the speed of the economic recovery and the attendant increase in advertising revenue. The outlook is that the economy will shrink by at least 6% and 16% in the worst-case scenario, the biggest economic contraction in South Africa’s history. Best case is a sharp, short recession followed by a sharp, short recovery.
That some of the ills of the news media will not wane with the crisis, such as the conundrum of print publishers migrating to a less profitable online environment, and the damage wrought by the change in news media business models and the problem of Google and Facebook soaking up the lion’s share of online advertising revenue. In any event, the crisis has shown the need for thinking about emergency funding for the news media in the short term and sustainable funding models as it adapts to the new digital realities of the 21st century in the long-term – and the world after the coronavirus.
SANEF welcomes rigorous engagement around these findings – and what is to be done. The starting point for this debate is our webinar at noon. Please read the report here :SANEF Covid Impact Research Final Report9 (optimized)
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.
Cape Town Metro Police officer barring a journalist from covering the eviction of refugees the Central Methodist Mission on Greenmarket Square. Pic: Unknown
In response to the Judge H Fabricius’ judgement handed down in the matter of Mr Collins Khosa on Friday, 15 May 2020, in the North Gauteng (Pretoria) High Court of South Africa, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has through its National Service Complaints Centre created a platform enabling the public and the media to report allegations of police brutality or cruelty, inhumane and/or degrading treatment and/or punishment, committed by members of the SAPS.
The public may, for the duration of the State of Disaster, report complaints regarding the SAPS at the nearest police station, the National Service Complaints Centre on the toll-free number 0800 333 177 or on the following email addresses
Complaints can vary from torture and/or cruel, inhumane, and/or degrading treatment and/or punishment, committed by law enforcement members including poor service delivery regarding police response, investigations, police negligence and police misconduct.
When you report a complaint, the respective complaint will be required to contain detailed information such as full names and surname, identity number, residential/business address, telephone and cell phone numbers and an email address.
Complainants will also be required to give a detailed description of what occurred during the incident including the province/area in which the complaint originates as well as the date and time of the incident and details of the SAPS officials involved.
The national state of disaster has created an unprecedented situation which requires the co-operation of everyone to prevent, limit, contain, combat and manage the spreading of COVID-19. Law enforcement agencies are expected to ensure that the disaster management regulations are adhered to by all inhabitants of the country.
Regulations and Directions are available at http://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/ regulations/regulations.php
Members of the public suspected to be in contravention of the disaster management regulations may expect the following to happen:
– Be arrested or requested to accompany a law enforcement officer to a police station;
– If the offence is of a serious nature, the person may be detained, subject hereto that he or she must be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than 48 hours after the arrest.;
– The person may apply for bail at his or her appearance in court;
– If the offence is less serious, the community service centre commander or the senior member of the SAPS in charge must consider the release of a person (in consultation with the investigating officer) ─
(a) on a written warning to appear in court (section 72 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) [Form SAPS 496 will be issued with a court date];
(b) on written notice (section 56 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) (Form J 534 will be issued with an option to pay a fine or appear in court on the date indicated on the form. This option enables a person to pay an admission of guilt fine and to be released thereafter. This means that the person will not have to appear in court, but by paying the admission of guilt fine, it is regarded as if the person has been convicted in court on the charge and the person will have a criminal record);
(c) on bail (sections 59 and 59A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) [J398 or J399] (This means that an amount for the bail will be determined by the relevant police official or the prosecutor. The person will have to appear on a date indicated on the receipt);
(d) after a charge has been withdrawn through an arrangement with the Public Prosecutor; or
(e) if he or she was detained as a suspect but is released from detention before the expiry of the 48-hour period because no charge is brought against him or her (section 50(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) [SAPS 328].
The public is urged to take note that the guidelines regarding enforcement of the State of Disaster Regulations. They allow that a law enforcement officer may forcibly confine the body of the arrested person if the person does not submit to custody (in accordance with section 39 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977). Furthermore, if the suspect resists the arrest or attempts to flee, section 49(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, authorises an enforcement officer to use force that is reasonably necessary and proportional to overcome such resistance or attempt.
However, under no circumstances may a person be tortured, assaulted, or mistreated in any manner by a law enforcement officer.
It is expected of law enforcement officers to support the aim of the State of Disaster by providing a service, render assistance, give advice, guide and lead the community, in order to ensure that lives are saved. This is being achieved by ensuring that there is enforcement to inter-provincial/districts travel through roadblocks and Vehicle Check Points, checking and verification of permits issued under the regulations, ensuring closure of borders and monitoring movement of cargo, issuing of fines and arresting of offenders for non-compliance, compliance check during routine patrols and high visibility patrols and visits to identified areas. These enforcement activities also ensure that the restriction of movement of persons as the main component of efforts to confine and manage the spreading of COVID-19 is achieved.
Law enforcement officers are further expected to encourage and sensitise members of the public to adhere to social distancing. Even though social distancing is currently not an offence and it cannot, therefore, be enforced, law enforcement agencies must ensure that high visibility is maintained around malls, shopping centres and other areas and that the public is informed about compliance with the promulgated regulations in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002; liaise with private security to assist enforcement within their mandate, and social distancing (2 meters away from other persons) is applied in public when shopping and visiting health facilities.
Today we share with you some news about the course “Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa” created to amplify the legacy of the late South African media activist, Jeanette Minnie.
To respond to the pandemic, a third – and updated – version of this free 7-week course (90 mins a week) kicks off 15 June. Registration is here: http://bit.ly/MediaFreedomAfrica
Besides referencing the new “Declaration on Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa”, there is now a new session titled: “African media in times of the COVID-19 crisis”.
It would be really appreciated if you could also promote the course through your networks.
When a vibrant media infrastructure is more important than ever, this free online course can help result in policies that promote affordable internet, protect journalism and support independent media –
especially in Africa.
To highlight some feedback from participants last year:
“The modules were packed with useful and incredibly concise information, with transcripts one can download for keeps. I love the case studies that spoke to each module and how diverse they work (focusing on different African countries). Kudos to the people who set the questions – it was clear they are incredible teachers.”
“A new insight to the role of engagement played by civil society to bringing about good governance in their respective countries and the need for it never to relent and continually serve as a watchdog in their respective countries.”
A vibrant media system before, during and after the pandemic is mission-critical for African progress. Let’s encourage and empower more people to achieve this.
Please click on the links below for more information:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and the community media at large are deeply saddened to learn of the death of community media activist and editor, Ms Masindi Octavia Mkhize (43).
According to her family, Mkhize suffered a stroke and died on her way to the hospital on Friday, 22 May 2020.
Dunisani Ntsanwisi, SANEF’s Community Committee Convenor, said Masindi would be remembered for her passion and dedication towards the growth and sustainability of community print media platforms.
“She was one of the last few remaining voices for the community print media who pushed for the development of the sector in South Africa’s indigenous languages,” he said. He added that Mkhize had dedicated her life to the sector since 1995.
Mkhize was the publisher and editor of the Pinetown based newspaper, EzaKwazulu News. She was part of the team that forged a long-standing working relationship between the community media and the Office of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, which saw KwaZulu-Natal Community Print Media Publishers receiving more than R1 million in advertising revenue between 2009 and 2018. She was also part of the team of KwaZulu-Natal Publishers who signed an advertisement contract with Ethekwini Municipality in 2017, which has been running for over three years. Mkhize was recently appointed the Deputy-President of the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP). She is survived by her three daughters.
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.
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.
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Today we share with you some news about the course “Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa” created to amplify the legacy of the late South African media activist, Jeanette Minnie.
