News
Fees Must Fall: SANEF Condemns Journalists Attacks
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is outraged by the attacks on journalists by University of Johannesburg security during the “FeesMustFall’’ campaign at the University last night.
Private security officials hired by the university attacked journalists and students at the Doornkloof and Kingsway campuses.
In one chilling incident, a photographer was punched repeatedly in the head, hit with a stick in the stomach, and then pepper sprayed at close range. A group of reporters were circled on Joe Slovo drive, ordered to sit in the road and then pepper sprayed. A photographer was also hit in the face with a plank-line object. We strongly condemn this brutal response by the university security team, aimed at journalists who posed no threat and who were merely executing their duty of gathering information for the benefit of society.
Yesterday’s incidents are in line with a discomforting trend we have noticed where journalists become targets of private security while covering public protests. SANEF has raised its concerns with the University Vice Chancellor Dr Ihron Rensburg, who condemned the actions and promised to ensure the security teams respect the right of journalists to do their work.
SANEF has also condemned the hostility of student leaders to journalists and called on them to open channels of communication with media houses if they feel aggrieved by the coverage. Student leaders have also been encouraged to use available mechanisms such as the Press Ombudsman and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission to get redress.
We call on vice chancellors to intervene as the private security companies are hired by them.
We encourage our journalists to open criminal charges against the private security company personnel and continue to inform SANEF.
For enquiries you can contact:
Mathatha Tsedu – Sanef Executive Director
082 454 0527
Socials
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: SANEF
SANEF Mourns Death of Allister Sparks
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) mourns the passing of veteran journalist, editor and author Allister Sparks at the age of 83 in Johannesburg.
Sparks was a journalist for 66 years. His first position was as a reporter on the Queenstown Daily Representative in 1951 at the age of 17. He moved to the East London Daily Dispatch under the editorship of Donald Woods, before joining Reuters in Britain. The highlight of his career was Sparks’ tenure as editor of the Rand Daily Mail between 1977 and 1981, for which he was awarded International Editor of the Year in 1979.
In 1992 Sparks co-founded the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ) with Wits University – a legacy that will continue to shape a young generation of journalists. In 1998 he served as editor-in-chief of SABC television news. He was the author of numerous award-winning books on South African history including Tomorrow is Another Country and The Mind of South Africa.
In 2011 Spark was honoured with the Allan Kirkland Soga Lifetime Achiever Award at the Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards for his “unwavering commitment to reporting quality news”.
Sparks leaves behind a proud legacy of fearless journalism that seeks to change society for the good. He was fierce in his believe that journalists should report equally on the good and the bad and tell the stories of normal people with the same zest as we would chase corrupt politicians or businessmen.
For enquiries please contact:
Adriaan Basson – SANEF Treasure 082 562 2113
Socials
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: SANEF
SANEF Condemns Fake News Sites and Calls on South Africans to Use Credible Sources of News
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has noticed an alarming trend by fake news websites to publish inaccurate information under the guise of news. SANEF notes and strongly condemn yesterday’s false story about the well-being of Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu which has done the rounds on social media. There have also been recent reports about Former President Thabo Mbeki.
Such inaccurate reports by websites masquerading as credible news sources are highly damaging and hurtful to those involved and their families. They also do a great disservice to legitimate news websites and the news industry as a whole. We also note that many of these fake sites purposefully use names and logos very similar to authentic media houses in an attempt to deceive their readers.
We call on the publishers to desist from publishing these false and inflammatory stories with immediate effect as it is grossly irresponsible.
SANEF also calls on all South Africans not to perpetuate false news cycles by sharing such stories on their social media networks.
We ask that greater attention be given to the source of news before simply retweeting, or sharing.
SANEF encourages South Africans to ensure that they share from well-established, trusted and credible news sources that are a legitimate part of the SA media landscape.
SANEF will look for an appropriate course of action to take against such fake news sites.
For Inquiries:
Katy Katopodis – Deputy Chairperson 082 805 7022
Mahlatse Gallens – Chairperson 083 399-2852
Socials
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: SANEF
SANEF Outraged by Behaviour of ANC Marshalls and MKMVA at Protest on Monday
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply concerned about the level of hostility and intimidation displayed towards journalists who covered the protests outside Luthuli House on Monday.
Journalists from various news organisations were intimidated and physically attacked by people claiming to protect Luthuli House and leaders of the African National Congress (ANC). Marshals clad in uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) regalia pushed and hurled abuse at journalists. There were also attempts to confiscate journalists’ cameras.
Some journalists were pushed back and thereby prevented from getting close to ANC officials, including Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe, who came out to address the crowd and journalists as well. SANEF is outraged and calls on ANC and MKMVA leaders to provide better training to their security staff and associates so that journalists can enjoy a free and safe environment to do their work unhindered by vulgar marshals.
In contrast, the behavior of SAPS and JMPD members towards journalists was exemplary and SANEF commends them for enabling journalists to do their work. Monday’s incidents come in the wake of a number of cases where, during the local government elections campaigns, journalists were either intimidated or directly assaulted while covering public events.
For Inquiries
Sam Mkokeli – (082) 084-2051
SANEF Media freedom Sub-committee Chair
Socials
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: SANEF
Joint Statement Between SAPS and SANEF Following a Meeting in Johannesburg
The Acting National Commissioner of Police, General Kgomotso Phahlane, accompanied by Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lt General Sehlahle Masemola, Deputy National Commissioner for Human Resource Management, Lt General Bonang Mgwenya, and National Head of Communications, Major General Vuyisile Ngesi , met with a SANEF delegation led by its Chairperson Mahlatse Gallens.
The meeting, at the SANEF offices, followed a request by SANEF to discuss various attacks on journalists in which police had been implicated. The incidents occurred over a period of time and included instances where police officers allegedly forced journalists to delete pictures from their cameras and physical manhandling of others. The incidents raised by SANEF included actions of police at crime and protest scenes and the behaviour of VIP Protections Services.
SANEF and the SAPS recently collaborated in producing a credit card size guide for police officers and journalists on how to behave at crime scenes but SANEF said this had not halted the problems. SAPS pointed out that the Standing Order 156 that regulates police interface with journalists was being updated to include digital media. This would be shared with editors soon.
General Phahlane condemned attacks on journalists and said he would issue a memo by next week to all police officers appraising them of the need to respect journalists at crime scenes. The meeting agreed to formalize existing agreements to enhance understanding between police and the media. These included arrangements for editors to be invited to address national, provincial and regional meetings of the SAPS leadership, and also police recruits. Editors would in turn invite police officers into newsrooms to enhance their understanding of media operations.
The SANEF delegation included its Media Freedom sub Committee chairperson Sam Mkokeli and Executive Director Mathatha Tsedu. Further meetings are to be arranged.
For Inquiries:
SANEF Chairperson Mahlatse Gallens 0833992852
SAPS Communications Maj Gen Vuyisile Ngesi 072 353 3654
SANEF Is Perturbed to Learn That ANN7 Has Fired Yet Another Group of Journalists
The five journalists fired yesterday took part in protests and other demonstrations in solidarity with their colleagues who were dismissed in June.
The first group that was dismissed, was part of a larger pool of employees that had objected to being named as parties to a company letter to the four banks that had revoked banking services to the television station’s owners, Oakbay Holdings.
They also resisted attending a meeting which was to be addressed by ANC Youth League president Collen Maine. They felt it inappropriate that an attempt was being made to drag them into the company’s corporate affairs and political battles.
We strongly condemn this latest action by the management of ANN7, which comes in the wake of a series of well documented and unfortunate episodes at the SABC which saw journalists who challenged censorship at the public broadcaster being victimized.
The clear line between corporate and editorial is sacrosanct and should always be respected by both parties. Journalists should also understand that they need to remain impartial and refrain from taking political sides to protect their credibility. Following the continued onslaught on journalists, SANEF wishes to express its concern with what appears to be a continued trend by some media houses to violate media freedoms and contravene labour laws.
We believe this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and SANEF will request a meeting with ANN7’s Editor-in-chief, Moegsien Williams.
We are now exploring other legal options as part of a plan to help the dismissed journalists, as we seek to protect those who continue to work in hostile environments.
For Inquiries
SANEF Chairperson Mahlatse Gallens 083 399 2852
SANEF Media Freedom Sub Committee Chairperson Sam Mkokeli 082 084 2051
Socials
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: SANEF
Speech by Retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke
Introduction
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests and fellow patriots. I owe my presence here to Mathatha Tsedu, your executive director. He used all imaginable struggle sentiments and memories from past trenches against apartheid to get me out of retirement to this South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) awards dinner. It was not necessary. First, because I am grateful to be not amongst lawyers and judges, but rather amongst South Africa’s thought leaders in media (print, broadcast, and internet) and trainers constituted as the forum famously known as SANEF. Since its inception in 1996, SANEF has stood for media freedom and transformation and for other significant things I care for. Second, it was not necessary to plead with me to be here tonight because, in the 40 years of public life, principally as an activist lawyer and later as a judge, I have thrived under the peering and piercing eyes of media practitioners. Perhaps it is not entirely inapposite to come at the end of my career and say thank you and goodbye to a chattering class that has so kindly documented so much of my public career.
The third reason why I would have accepted this invite is that this evening is so closely connected to Nat Nakasa. The tale of Nat Nakasa is as harrowing as it is tragic. He tried to escape the scorn of apartheid and the silence it sought to impose on him only to die in 1965 – young, exiled, heart-broken and perhaps even more alienated from himself and from his newly-found world. What saves his tragic tale is the short but dynamic career he lit up by his journalistic courage and integrity. It is therefore an honour to be here and to pay respect to Nat Nakasa and indeed to other media practitioners who are similarly situated at home, on the rest of the African continent and abroad. Media practitioners, much like judges, easily and quickly earn the wrath of ruling elites around the world.
On a lighter note, Mathatha, I would have agreed to be here in any case, to meet up with SANEF’s Secretary-General. I have known Katy Katopodis, since she was a young activist university student. She studied and later worked in media with my daughter, Duduzile. Both have since grown to be enterprising women and are currently running a competition on who may produce more grandchildren for their adoring parents. My daughter has three and Kate may be lagging behind.
Excited as I am about being here this evening, I don’t think I have any new or thunderous insights that travel beyond your own expertise. Let me underline the point in this way.
On Thursday, 19 September 2002, shy of 14 years ago, Henry Jeffreys, Guy Berger and Mathatha Tsedu drew up submissions to the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, 2002. This is what they wrote then.
“The position of the SANEF on the Bill is premised on a number of principles.
These are:
1.1. Information is power, and those who have it have power and those that do not, don’t have any power.
1.2. From this flows the fact that all the people of this country, in their myriad of cultures and languages, have to have an ability to receive and impart information and views in their own languages through all the mediums available through the national broadcaster.
1.3. For the information to be empowering and useful, it must be reliable. Embodied in this is the need therefore for journalists to provide news and current affairs that are as unfettered by political and commercial interests as are humanly possible. The public needs to have confidence in the impartiality of the news they receive.
1.4. The state must create an enabling legislative environment that allows for the public broadcaster to fulfill its functions. This particularly entails funding, but should never extend to any implied, overt or covert role in the determination of the credibility of the news items that are broadcast.
1.5. Section 16 of the Constitution is the embodiment of all the protections that are needed to guarantee that South Africa is able to converse with herself and with the world in a free and fair manner. Whatever steps might be needed from time to time to improve this national discourse, must adhere fully to this section of the Constitution. It should in no way dilute its effectiveness.”
I can’t do better than that exposition of the place of free expression in our democratic arrangements. Mine is to admire and applaud. It is, however, astounding that in present times we have to assert afresh these fundamental but commonplace articles of faith in an open and democratic society which we must claim to be.
So, I will restrain myself and not belabour the intrinsic value of free expression in a democratic society. Also, I have chosen not to say a word about current developments in the media terrain. I prefer to scrum away from the saga at the SABC. I choose to be tight-lipped about its incumbent COO or its departed acting CEO who has fallen on his sword. I am still about Vuyo Mvoko’s account of his “hellish” stint at the SABC. I am tight-lipped about the different take of Chairman Maghuve on the affairs of his corporation and contrasting the response of the chair of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications on the same subject. I won’t speculate about the pending Indepndent Communications Authority (Icasa) ruling or perhaps about the much vaunted Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) court application against the public broadcaster. I need not apply my good sense because I am no longer a judge in active service. Also, I dare not venture into the reports on the toyi-toying SANEF and other activists outside a variety of newsworthy media sites and other venues. This is so because your assessment of these gripping events is probably as good, if not better, than mine.
So I rather opt to mull over two vital conversations that may find echo in the position of the media in the current state of our nation. The first is the social imperative of an open society. The second is courage of conviction.
Openness
One of the vital functions of a constitution is to define and deploy public power. Simply, most constitutional arrangements in democracies try to make plain who may exercise which public power. That is also true of the private terrain where companies, trusts and foundations exercise a measure of public power. But here is the point. Public power is conferred for one purpose only – to do good – to advance public good. Put clearer, public power is never conferred to advance an ulterior purpose, to benefit its holder or her patrons, or to serve private or selfish interest. It is never conferred to glorify or make important its holder. Public power is a tool to enhance and advance public good.
It follows that public power must be used rationally and only in a lawful manner and for a legitimate purpose. Apart from the seminally important guarantee of free expression, when we established a democratic republic in 1994, we saw it fit to write in values of openness, accountability and responsiveness. This because if public power is to advance public good it must be exercised transparently and must be capable of being held to account. Also, public power must be deployed responsively to the needs of the governed and not for improper or oppressive purposes.
You see, openness and accountability are to repression and bad governance what light is to darkness. They are meant to dissipate public secrets, bad governance and backwardness. They are meant to install freedom, social equity and the best interest of the people against autocracy and bad and unrepresentative government.
That must tell us why we wrote these ideals in our first law. Openness and free expression have always been the bedrock of the long, arduous struggle for justice. Apartheid, like all oppressions, failed because it sought to oust openness with secrecy, responsiveness to popular needs with repression and negated its duty to account to the people it ruled. In the end, besides the deteriorating economics, apartheid failed because the ruling elite fancied their chances to silence all dissent.
We are clearly not there. Or am I deluding myself?
Courage of conviction: Willingness to bear the consequences
I have suggested earlier that beyond a vision, concrete and credible steps are required to make it real. That much is true of media practitioners. Courage of principle would require media workers to do what’s to be done. Much like other social activists who are expected to take practical steps to realise the vision, journalist too must show absolute fidelity to their craft and public duty. In this sense, the media is an integral part of the transition and the achievement of a variety of social and economic goods our Constitution envisages.
I suggested at the beginning that the inevitable consequence of courage and principle must be a willingness to bear the consequences. Ruth First paid that ultimate price. In extreme repression those entrusted with power soon forget and resort to death, torture and exclusion to prop up their hegemony. We are a proud democracy. In many respects we have established an admirable state and proud nation. We have picked much of the low lying fruit. In some respects our courts are one such example.
However, judges, and certainly all of us, cannot now back off from our bounden duty to educate and train the young, to transmit to them the very best values of our long and heroic struggle. We must keep our collective vision well in sight. We must garner the courage and comfort to speak out and act on it. We must require our public functionaries to pursue in truth a better life for all. The price we are to pay for social activism is small indeed – nothing comparable to the supreme price many compatriots had to pay. We must be truthful and rigorous in the pursuit of a more equal and just society. We must have the courage to call it right in the most difficult circumstances. That is so because our collective vision is not open to debate. Its primacy is well settled by a long line of virtuous struggle.
Thank you for listening and good night.