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Sanef Congratulates The African Editors Forum After Electing a New Leadership

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20 February 2024

The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) held a successful annual general meeting today (AGM), where a new leadership assumed responsibility for the organisation for the next two years.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) congratulates TAEF on holding a successful AGM, on the sidelines of the Africa Media Festival, in Nairobi, Kenya.

TAEF is the continent’s premium editors’ guild that represents editors and senior journalists, whose primary purpose is to defend media freedom and be the leading voice for media advocacy.

The new executive committee is;

  • Chairperson – Churchill Otieno (Kenya)
  • Deputy Chairperson – Emmanuel Dogbevi (Ghana)
  • Secretary General – Emang Mutapati (Botswana)
  • Treasurer General – Sbu Ngalwa (South Africa)

SANEF welcomes the new executive committee and recognises the difficult task ahead, as it forges a new path of addressing a myriad of challenges faced by the media across the continent.

The AGM reiterated that there is an urgent need for continental cooperation, solidarity, and finding suitable solutions for the future sustainability of journalism.

Further, the AGM committed to innovation and the building of future newsrooms that are more fitted to respond to numerous challenges often faced by the news media.

There was also a commitment to sharply focus on reviving various regional editors’ structures across the continent, making them more responsive and active.

Mathatha Tsedu, veteran South African journalist and founding member of TAEF, was honoured at the AGM with a Lifetime Service to Journalism Award.

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
  • 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
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Sanef welcomes Independent Media’s decision to return to the Press Council

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01 February 2024

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) welcomes the decision by Independent Media to rejoin the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA), after a seven-year absence.

The renewed membership is effective from 01 January 2024.

Since Independent Media’s decision to terminate its membership of the Press Council in 2016, SANEF has been vocal about the importance of having all legitimate media organisations falling under the jurisdiction of the Press Council.

This allows for the Press Ombudsman to adjudicate complaints levelled by members of the public against media houses that contravene the Press Code.

As previously stated, SANEF remains committed to the current system of independent co-regulation by the Press Council, which has four retired judges in its various structures and a panel that includes more representatives from the public than from the media.

Upholding the Press Code is an important part of efforts to restore trust in the news media, hence SANEF has always encouraged every self-respecting news entity to subscribe to the Code.

Independent Media joins the PCSA’s membership of just over 400 organisations who subscribe to the Code.

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
  • 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
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Sanef holds a successful workshop on why disinformation destroys democracy

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Mr Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at the IEC addresses the workshop; photo by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu

24 January 2024

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held its first event of the year at its new offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 23 January 2024 in partnership with Media Monitoring Africa.

The workshop on elections, social media, and disinformation was attended by representatives of the IEC, Press Council, Africa Check, media academia, lawyers the Human Rights Commission, Digital Forensics Lab, journalists, and editors from different publications, including the SABC.

The aim of the workshop was for the media to be prepared for election misinformation, disinformation as well as intimidation and to identify information held by social media platforms that can assist in mitigating these risks.

According to a UNESCO/Ipsos survey done in 16 countries including South Africa, 91% of the respondents think that during election campaigns, social media platforms should take an active role in combatting disinformation and “fake news”; and 89% think that during election campaigns, the government and regulators should take an active role in combatting online disinformation and “fake news”.

The workshop was moderated by veteran SANEF member, Professor Guy Berger, who led a risk assessment exercise with the ultimate objective of holding big tech accountable and ensuring the media is free to operate and report freely and fairly.

The workshop agreed that a message needs to be sent to political parties who bully journalists and to big tech that civil society is watching them on social media for bullying narratives and for not taking down online hatred quickly.

Fact-checking organisations are crucially important currently – there are about 15 on the continent and Africa Check has offered to assist South African media to quickly check facts in this election period.

The workshop identified the following potential election-related online risks:

  • Silencing voices by intimidation
  • Attacks on journalists/Incitement via social media
  • Disinformation on elections
  • Manipulated media
  • Attacks on election integrity
  • Hacking of IEC pages/posts
  • Gendered bullying/threats of rape and murder of women journalists
  • Promoting distrust in the electoral process.

Some of the ideas discussed include getting media lawyers on standby to approach the electoral court as soon as a problem is reported by a journalist of intimidation, bullying, cyber-misogyny, and other conduct endangering freedom of media and freedom of expression.

SANEF also proposed that tech platforms use news produced by credible media to counter fake news on their platforms; and encouraged the Human Rights Commission to publicise their social media Charter to guide the public on the responsible use of social media and legal remedies when their rights are violated.

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
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Acting Secretary-General 083) 229-9708
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
  • Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Heather Robertson – SANEF Acting Gauteng Convenor (083) 308 5618
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
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SOS, MMA and Sanef request the withdrawal of the SABC Bill in their submission to the Committee

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19 January 2024

SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) collectively made a submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on 16 January 2024, expressing deep concerns regarding the SABC Bill.  The organisations have pointed out a series of catastrophic and unconstitutional flaws with the Bill motivating for its withdrawal.

The first concern is the move to introduce the SABC Bill in Parliament before the finalisation of a much-needed policy update, in the form of the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audio Visual Media Services and Online Content Safety.  Given that this process has been 20 years in the making, the organisations are concerned that the Bill is being rushed through with no proper scrutiny and due process, and in a policy vacuum given the many u-turns and other changes of policy proposals relevant to the SABC. The process is all the more alarming considering that the current iteration of the SABC Bill is very different from the Draft SABC Bill published for public notice and comment in July 2021. Moreover, the public has been deprived of an opportunity to comment on the new SABC Bill before it was introduced in Parliament.

SOS, MMA and SANEF believe that, given the financial crisis at the SABC, the Bill should at a minimum address the public broadcaster’s sustainability challenges with the required urgency. The current SABC Bill offers nothing to mitigate or address SABC’s dire financial status.  Instead, it provides for the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to take three years to develop a funding framework. Why wasn’t this  done a decade ago?  Rather than a solution this provision sets the SABC up for failure. The SABC requires a new funding model that will ensure that government contributes to the sustainability of the SABC for the benefit of the people of South Africa who depend on the SABC. The Bill also fails to aid the SABC in solving the unfunded public mandate crisis that besets it now.

We note that the PFMA and PPFA are not mentioned in the SABC Bill and certainly no amendments to these pieces of legislation are contained in the Schedule (Repeal and Amendment of Laws) to the Bill.

The Organisations are extremely concerned by the provision that subscriptions are envisaged as additional source of funding for the SABC. A “pay for content” model akin to that applicable to commercial subscription broadcasting services cannot be a model of public service content provision as it implies that the provision of services is limited to those able to afford them.

The Organisations are also profoundly concerned that the SABC Bill seeks to give new powers to the minister. Section 6 of the Bill is deeply problematic and at odds with the independence of the public broadcaster.  The proposed provisions are certainly clearly at odds with the judgment of Matojane J in the SOS Case. The proposed additional powers of the Minister to dictate additional functions to the SABC and to remove Board members or take part in the Board appointment process (particularly that of the subsidiary company) is unconstitutional and makes the institution vulnerable to government and political interference.

In addition to offering no mechanism to help the SABC mitigate its current financial crisis the Bill seeks to replicate a model that has not worked, has been widely discredited, and that the DCDT own policy process has stated has not worked.  It’s unfathomable how a proposed Bill from the same department can be so fundamentally at odds, not only with its own policy draft but opposed by the SABC and key stakeholders.  The notion that a commercial division will cross-subsidize the public division has been a policy failure since inception. Instead of being abandoned it is expanded and replicated – like using a sieve to catch rainwater.

Like an unending infomercial, we note, “but wait there’s more”. The SABC Bill also seeks to go back in time and undermine the SABC editorial independence by making the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) the Editor in Chief of the SABC, again. Apart from these two roles requiring entirely different skills sets, this makes the public broadcaster prone to political and other forms of editorial interference.

In our submissions to the Committee, we note that both the Second Draft White Paper and the SABC Bill do not provide the promised research on international best practice on public broadcasting funding models and the digital transformation. This has greatly contributed to the SABC Bill’s regressive and illogical approach and its failure to acknowledge existing court judgements that protect and promote both the independence and good governance of the public broadcaster.

The organisations submit the SABC Bill should not be passed by the Committee. Rather, we recommend that the Committee requests the DCDT to withdraw the Bill and redraft it taking into consideration broad stakeholder input.

It is crucial that ahead of the upcoming elections and beyond, the public broadcaster’s editorial and institutional independence is safeguarded for the SABC to fulfil its role of deepening the country’s democracy.

Further, the organisations extend gratitude to Campaign for Free Expression (CFE), The South African Screen Federation (SASFED) and People’s Media Consortium (PMC) who have expressed their support and echo the sentiments of the submitting organisations.

For more information contact:

  • Uyanda Siyotula (SOS National Coordinator) – 060 691 2462
  • William Bird (MMA Director) – 082 887 1370
  • Reggy Moalusi (SANEF Executive Director) – 071 682 3695
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SANEF Decries the Heavy Loss of Forty-two Journalists and Media Workers in the War on Gaza

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20 November 2023

This past Saturday the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held a successful last council of 2023 in Johannesburg where pertinent media freedom and industry related issues were discussed – including the relentless Israeli war in Gaza where many journalists have been killed and injured.

As of November 18, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ’s) preliminary investigations showed at least 42 journalists and media workers were among the more than 13,000 killed in Gaza since the war began on October 7— with over 11,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank and 1,200 deaths in Israel.

SANEF is deeply concerned at the ongoing carnage in Gaza and the fact that CPJ and Reporters Without Borders believe the Israeli military is deliberately targeting journalists who tell the true story of events in Gaza. Several media premises and working spaces have been targeted and destroyed.

SANEF also finds it unacceptable that aid convoys to the devastated region have been severely restricted and the Israeli government has refused entry to Gaza for international journalists and insists that only journalists covering the current actions of its army must be embedded with their military.

The role of journalists is to seek out as honestly as possible the facts and, in this regard, SANEF salutes the work done by our colleagues based in Gaza and by the United Nations and non-governmental workers who have reported on conditions as they have experienced them.

We also call on all journalists and editors, dealing with reports from this region, to be conscious always of the historical context and to take care of the terminology used in reports. It is not the role of journalists to justify, support or condemn any group or the actions groups undertake. Journalists should merely provide all the facts available and place all events in as full a context as possible.

Police Minister

The hybrid council meeting was addressed by Police Minister Bheki Cele who was accompanied by the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola and his deputy, General Shadrack Sibiya.

Minister Cele assured the gathering that the SAPS was ready to assist the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to conduct a peaceful, free, and fair elections in 2024.

“We have already seen the worst possible scenario in this country where we had to send the army to help maintain peace and ensure free and fair elections in KwaZulu Natal during the first two elections,” he said.

Cele said the recent developments in Gaza has made him feel for the safety of journalists in the region. It was therefore important for the SAPS to work closely with journalists and ensure that there was a good working relationship where everyone respected the working space of the other.

He said the SAPS was working to rebuild the specialised units that were systematically compromised or destroyed in previous years such as the intelligence structures. He appreciated the fact that 30 000 new recruits will beef up the number of boots on the ground. He further called on media houses to work on the challenges facing the industry, including the juniorisation of newsrooms which leads to inaccurate, unfair, and imbalanced reporting about SAPS matters.

Other Matters

The meeting also discussed various other issues that ranged from media freedom, media sustainability and legal challenges faced by the media.

Concerns were raised about the continued failure of President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide space for media engagement beyond the one-way national addresses that he has been giving over the past three years. Journalists felt that this has a detrimental impact on the state of media freedom and the media’s role to hold the executive to account. Further, it raises concerns about accountability, transparency, information flow, public engagement, and the international image of the country.

Journalists’ trip to Warsaw, Poland

The meeting also noted the disappointing lack of response from the Presidency to calls for an engagement with media houses about the Warsaw debacle – where several journalists who had travelled to Russia or Ukraine to cover the Africa Peace Mission, which President Ramaphosa was part of – were treated with disdain.

They could not cover any of those events as they were trapped inside a plane, upon landing in Warsaw, for over 24 hours. This is despite them having obtained visas to enter Poland. The Minister in the Presidency is yet to avail herself to address the matter. SANEF also notes that the Ambassador of Poland to South Africa, Adam Burakowski, has yet to honour the embassy’s commitment to meet with SANEF to discuss the unacceptable infringement on media freedom by his country.

Discussion with Business 4 South Africa

The council was also briefed on the Business-Government Partnership aimed at delivering meaningful progress towards South Africa’s economic growth. B4SA’s Martin Kingston and Cas Coovadia briefed the council about their role and the different workstreams tackling issues like energy, transport, logistics, as well as crime and corruption.

Kingston said business and government were exploring ways to identify areas of collaboration and also looking at existing programmes that can be significantly scaled in the short term to address the country’s priorities. The media needed to do its part in monitoring the developments and staying vigilant to ensure that it also held all parties accountable.

Independent Media titles apply to rejoin the Press Council

After seven years in the wilderness, SANEF Council noted that Independent Media has applied to rejoin the Press Council system. SANEF has repeatedly appealed to the leadership of the company to return to the country’s regulatory system. The media house opted out of the country’s print and online regulatory system in October 2016 and appointed its own in-house Ombudsman to administer and adjudicate on complaints laid against the content of its news titles. SANEF has previously expressed concerns that one of this country’s largest media companies was being a player and a referee in its adjudication of complaints against its publications. That said, we fully welcome the return of Independent Media into the fold of the Press Council.

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

 

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Call for Applications: Mentorship Scheme to Support the Production of Journalism Stories

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Call for applications: Mentorship scheme to support the production of journalism stories on issues related to media capture

Date: 03 October 2023| Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Deadline for applications: 12.00pm on 01/11/2023

Email: [email protected]

SANEF presents an exciting opportunity for early to mid-career journalists to receive mentoring from international experts. Through a project implemented by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the Guild is offering funding, editorial and legal support to produce high-quality journalism on issues related to media capture in the South African press. In this context, media capture refers to a set of negative and limiting influences on media freedom; these range from commercial to political/policy factors. It can include both state and non-state actors. Media capture also explores the confluence of the two.

The mentoring includes one-to-one support (usually remote) to provide feedback on story angles, journalism quality and accuracy, and ethical considerations, whilst developing the content. Successful applicants will also receive pre-publication review from highly skilled lawyers to help identify and navigate relevant legal risks and considerations.

Participating journalists must commit to all components of the scheme and will sign an agreement to this effect. These components include:

  • Producing at least one item of content on an issue of media capture.
  • Participating in a mentoring scheme to support the development of content, focused on quality and ethical conduct.
  • Participating in a legal pre-publication review mentorship process focussed on identifying legal risks in the story, and advisory on how to mitigate these.
  • Participating in the mentoring scheme for its entire duration (approximately 2 hours per week, over 6 weeks).

Journalists will not be considered to have fulfilled the scheme until they have completed each of these elements.

*We are accepting applications on a rolling basis, please apply as soon as possible. 

BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME 

If selected to participate in the mentoring scheme, you will:

  • Receive a financial contribution to cover expenses associated with research, investigation, and the subsequent publication of the story.
  • Be provided with editorial guidance from highly experienced journalism mentors right up until publication/broadcast.
  • Have access to a lawyer who will guide you on how to mitigate legal risks in developing your piece, such as libel and defamation. The lawyer will also review your story pre-publication.

 ELIGIBILITY 

We are looking for:

  • Journalists with at least two to eight years of professional experience.
  • Journalists who are accredited and belong to a professional body.
  • Journalists who are familiar with investigative journalism, reporting on media freedom and/or freedom of expression issues in general.
  • Journalists who have a strong motivation to learn about and understand these issues.
  • Journalists able to devote time working on their story and commit to the mentoring process as described above (2 hours a week, over 6 weeks). This duration is indicative of the time spent with the mentor and lawyer during the stated period.
  • Both freelancers and staff journalists. Journalists working for a news organisation will need prior written consent from their editor or newsrooms to take part.
  • Journalists working in any medium or multiple media (print, online, radio or television).
  • Journalists based in South Africa and/or working for one or more South African media organisations.
  • Journalists must have fluent English.
  • Journalists must be ready to share their content/story plans with the designated mentors/lawyers involved in the mentoring scheme.

FUNDING 

Successful applicants will receive funding to cover expenses associated with research, investigation, and the subsequent publication of the story.

APPLICATIONS 

  • A story pitch: this should include a strong story idea related to issues of media capture and a brief summary of a plan to execute the research and drafting of the story.
  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Two examples of your work: broadcast journalists can send in their scripts and a summary. If this work is in local language, please provide an English translation. If it is online, please share a link so that the web page can be translated.
  • A letter from your editor consenting to your participation in the mentoring process and, ideally, their commitment to publish the story.
    • If the letter from your editor does not explicitly state that the story will be published, we will still consider your application.
  • Candidates are requested to submit an expense budget.

Email applications to [email protected]

Input Editorial Guild application method.

*Please note that the mentoring schemes does not guarantee publication of the content developed through the mentoring scheme. The content may be marked with the following attribution:

This content was developed thanks to a grant administered by SANEF. The project received funding, editorial and legal support from the Thomson Reuters Foundation as part of its wider, global media freedom programme, which aims to strengthen free, fair and informed societies. The information contained in this content belongs solely to the author, and is not associated with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Reuters, nor any other affiliates.

 

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SANEF, PANSALB, UN hold First Indigenous Language and the Media Seminar

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 06 September 2023

 Invitation: First Indigenous Language and the Media Seminar 

Johannesburg, South Africa – The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), in collaboration with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the United Nations in South Africa, is pleased to invite members of the media to the inaugural Indigenous Languages and the Media Seminar.

Date: 7th September 2023

Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Venue: Radisson Blu, Gautrain, Sandton

Theme: The role of indigenous languages in the media in building engaged and informed communities.

Keynote Speakers:

  • Professor Abiodun Salawu, Professor of Journalism, Communication, and Media Studies, and Director of the research entity, Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA)
  • Mr. Nelson Muffuh, UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa
  • Mr. Lance Schultz, PanSALB Chief Executive Officer

In 2019, SANEF commissioned an Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility, which highlighted concerns about the lack of content in African languages. The inquiry recommended “lobbying for the provision of comprehensive, informed news content in African languages accessible to all.” In response to these recommendations, SANEF is organizing the Indigenous Languages and Media Seminar.

Indigenous languages play a crucial role in South Africa’s linguistic diversity. Their promotion and utilization by the media are essential for preserving them. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the use and understanding of indigenous languages, especially among the youth. This seminar aims to address this issue and find solutions.

The seminar aims to bring together critical stakeholders, including PanSALB, the UN, and influential indigenous language practitioners, to have frank conversations, debates, and initiate discussions that can lead to actionable solutions beyond the seminar.

It will have a two-pronged approach:

  • Understanding the status of indigenous languages and the role media can play.
  • Exploring interventions and action points for promoting and preserving indigenous languages.

The target audience for this seminar includes media practitioners from Gauteng and adjoining provinces. Preference will be given to journalists from small and independent community media outlets. Participants have been drawn from digital, print, and broadcast media, as well as various stakeholders with interests in language development and the impactful role of community media.

Sbu Ngalwa, the SANEF chairperson says: The seminar will help journalists with strategies for reporting on indigenous languages without stigmatisation or ostracization. We will collectively explore the critical role of indigenous languages in the media and work towards their preservation and promotion.”

Lance Schultz, PanSALB Chief Executive Officer says: “Throughout history, the media has played a crucial role in the growth and preservation of indigenous languages. The first recorded written text in an African language in the country dates to the 1800’s, which is an excellent foundation to build upon. It is about time we as a nation begin the journey of forging collaborative efforts between the media, parents, teachers, education authorities, and stakeholders to promote indigenous languages.”

Nelson Muffuh, the UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, says: “Through this seminar, we plan to work with all our partners in South Africa and the region to understand the risks associated with the lack of promotion of indigenous languages. Communities must establish practical ways to work with the media, especially community media, to actively promote indigenous languages in their daily lives.”

Join us at this groundbreaking seminar to ensure that African generations continue to speak and uphold their languages.

For media inquiries and registration, please contact: [email protected]

About SANEF

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.

About PanSALB

The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) is envisioned in section 6 of the Constitution and was created in terms of the Pan South African Language Board Act 59 of 1995 amended as PanSALB Amendment Act of 1999). It was established to provide for the recognition, implementation, and furtherance of multilingualism in the Republic of South Africa to promote all official languages, including Khoi and San languages.

About UN

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.

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SANEF Calls for Media Freedom and Unrestricted Coverage of Zimbabwean Elections

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18 August 2023

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins the global community of journalists, media organisations, and civil society groups, in expressing our deep concern over the infringements on media freedom and the repeated harassment faced by Zimbabwean journalists and civil society observers in the run-up to the elections in Zimbabwe.

We call upon the Zimbabwean government and authorities to uphold the principles of democracy, transparency, and human rights by granting journalists from South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Africa, and around the world, the necessary accreditation to enter Zimbabwe and cover the forthcoming elections.

As part of the global community of journalists and media freedom advocates, we stand united in our commitment to defending media freedom and ensuring that accurate and impartial information reaches citizens around the world.

We urge the Zimbabwean government to recognize the importance of an unfettered media in a democracy and to take immediate action to create an atmosphere that respects the rights of both local and foreign journalists, leading to a fair and credible electoral process.

The role of the media in a democratic society is paramount. A free, diverse, and independent media plays an essential role in providing accurate and unbiased information to citizens not just in Zimbabwe, but also Zimbabweans in the diaspora around the world, enabling them to make informed decisions during elections.

SANEF believes that media freedom is the cornerstone of any vibrant democracy, and Zimbabwe should strive to adhere to international standards in this regard, including the UNESCO media freedom protocol and international laws governing media freedom.

The upcoming elections in Zimbabwe hold immense significance not only for the country but also for the broader African and global community. It is imperative that the elections be conducted in an environment that is free, fair, and transparent. Media must be allowed to operate without fear of intimidation, harassment, or censorship, ensuring that citizens have access to diverse perspectives and comprehensive information.

We condemn the reports of harassment faced by Zimbabwean journalists and civil society organisations who are in the country to observe the elections and ensure their fairness. Freedom of the press and the ability of civil society to operate unhindered are fundamental rights that should be protected and respected by all governments. Any attempts to suppress these rights undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process.

SANEF urges the Zim government to grant swift and unbiased accreditation to journalists from South Africa, the SADC region, Africa, and the world, allowing them to cover the elections and report without undue hindrance.

Further, Zimbabwe security agencies must cease all forms of unjustified deportation of persons in Zimbabwe to observe elections and the harassment against Zimbabwean journalists and civil society organisations, enabling them to carry out their vital work without fear.

We call upon the government to ensure a transparent electoral process that adheres to international standards, thereby instilling confidence in the results and upholding the democratic values of the nation.

The state must uphold the right to media freedom as enshrined in international protocols and conventions, fostering an environment that encourages diverse and open discourse.

The Zimbabwean authorities and the electoral agencies must collaborate with regional and international bodies to guarantee that the upcoming elections are conducted in a manner that respects human rights and democratic principles.

SANEF encourages all media houses with capacity to send journalists to Zimbabwe to raise awareness about the importance of media freedom and the need for transparent and fair elections in that country.

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
  • 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
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 229-9708
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
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Campaign for Freedom of Expression, Media Monitoring Africa, and the South African National Editors’ Forum welcome the“ resounding victory for media freedom” in the Moti-amaBhungane judgment

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 STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3 July 2023

Campaign for Freedom of Expression, Media Monitoring Africa, and the South African National Editors’ Forum welcome the“ resounding victory for media freedom” in the Moti-amaBhungane judgment

The South Gauteng High Court has thrown out the attempt by the Moti Group to silence the journalists at amaBhungane and reaffirmed the public interest value of such investigative reporting. Deputy Judge President Ronald Sutherland ruled that the amaBhungane journalists can continue publishing their series on the Moti Group and they do not have to return the leaked Moti documents or identify their source.

Sutherland was scathing of the decision to allow the original Moti order to be heard ex parte (in secret). He said it was “a most egregious abuse of the process of court … there is not a smidgeon of justification for it being brought ex parte”.

Sutherland also came out in favour of a journalist’s right to hold and use leaked information when it is in the public interest. He affirmed that pre-publication censorship could only be used in extreme cases and journalists should be allowed as a rule to protect their sources.

Moti was ordered to pay all costs for all three hearings that led to this judgment.

Anton Harber of the Campaign for Free Expression said: “The original order concerned us greatly as it seemed that the judge was abandoning the courts’ protection of free media, but this powerful ruling has reaffirmed our faith in the protection of our constitutional rights. This is a resounding victory for media freedom.

“Moti will have to defend himself in the public arena – and that is how it should be.”

Sbu Ngalwa, Sanef’s chairperson, said: “We welcome the judgement. It’s a great victory for media freedom. We’ve always maintained that journalism is not a crime. No one, no matter how powerful they think they are, should ever think that they can abuse our court system to block journalists from doing their jobs. Sanity has prevailed.”

William Bird, director of Media Monitoring Africa, said: “It’s a critical victory for media freedom and a significant slap down for a SLAPP suit with costs being awarded to the amici as well.  We hope the ruling also serves to dissuade similar efforts to silence journalists. There are legitimate fora for cases against media to be dealt with, and we hope these will be drawn on in future.”

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