The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is seriously troubled by the endless delays in the appointment of the new SABC board, despite Parliament’s recommendations of prospective qualifying candidates to do the job.
We note with concern reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has blamed Parliament and the Constitutional Court that he could not make appointments on the basis of an “unlawful decision” emanating from the legislature’s 15-candidate list sent to him last year.
The President filed his answering affidavit to the apex court in the legal challenge launched by interest groups, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the SOS Coalition. The two organisations want the Constitutional Court to force President Ramaphosa to appoint the board. The public broadcaster has been without a board of directors for five months and this poses a threat to the public broadcaster’s operations, among other essential obligations that require the board’s approval and governance processes.
SANEF also notes reports that the former communications and digital technologies minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, had contributed to these delays after she questioned the inclusion of the broadcaster’s former head of news, Phathiswa Magopeni, in the list of candidates recommended by Parliament. Parliament had thoroughly interrogated her recommendation to serve on the board and concluded that she was an appropriate candidate.
SANEF wishes to appeal to President Ramaphosa to prioritise the finalisation of the SABC board appointment. We support the concerns raised by our media freedom advocacy partners that the absence of a board places the SABC at risk of insolvency that will undermine the great progress of stabilising the public broadcaster that the previous board made.
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.
The development and growth of science journalism in South Africa is critical to advance scientific literacy and a critically engaged society. The recent pandemic highlighted the need for accurate, accessible and up-to-date science content. Currently there are a limited number of science journalists in the mainstream media in South Africa.
In order to develop science journalism in South Africa, the South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF), in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) are launching Science Journalism Internship Programme. This great initiative will support mainstream media in South Africa.
“There is significant potential for growth in the quantity and impact of science coverage both in mainstream media and community media in South Africa. Many dedicated science journalists who previously specialised in the science and technology beat are no longer working full time for the mainstream media and some of the science desks have been discontinued,” says SAASTA Managing Director, Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia.
“Many science journalists are working as freelancers and in a community media the availability of science journalism capacity is even lower,” she added.
Some of the challenges that have been identified in research studies on science journalism in South Africa have included: the lack of investment and budget of media organisation to support science journalism, the industry being under-resourced in terms of science journalism skills, the complexity of the relationship between scientists and journalists, and the low appetite for publishing and buying science news articles, amongst others.
“The demand for honest and trustworthy scientific news stories has been more pronounced since the outbreak of Covid-19. South Africans had trust that journalists would dig and find accurate information about the plague and educate intended audiences as they researched more about the virus. As SANEF, we believe it is time the media reinvest in the education and growth of scientific writers in this country,” said Sbu Ngalwa SANEF Chairman.
The internship programme will be roll out in phases and in phase one, the interns will be placed within the SABC. The successful applicants will work in SABC newsrooms across the country, to produce science, technology and innovation stories for broadcasts and online media.
The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement will also partner with other media outlets including Media24, Newsroom Afrika and EWN. The aim is to partner with multiple the mainstream media outlets through this initiative and in 2023 the internship will be expanded to even add more mainstream media outlets in South Africa.
In 2016 SAASTA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Media Development and Diversity Agency to introduce a similar science journalism developmental programme in the community media space. The project has continuously enhanced the science journalism capacity in the community media in all nine provinces, as it has been rare for the community media to cover science and technology stories in the past. This project currently has community media partners in all nine provinces and currently employs twenty-eight science journalism volunteers. The aim is to expand it to have community media partners in every district municipality in the country.
ENDS
About SANEF
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.
About the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA):
SAASTA is a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the mandate to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, engineering and technology in South Africa. SAASTA’s contribution to the NRF’s vision is to grow the pool of quality learners today who will become the scientists and innovators of tomorrow. It aims to be the leading science advancement agency in the country by promoting and communicating the value and impact of science, technology and innovation in a dynamic knowledge economy. It also intends to contribute significantly towards building a science, engineering and technology (SET) human resource base. For more information on the operations and programs within the NRF please visit www.saasta.ac.za
About the National Research Foundation (NRF):
The National Research Foundation (NRF) was established on 1 April 1999 as an independent statutory body in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. The NRF is a key public entity responsible for supporting the development of human resources for research and innovation in all fields of science and technology. The organisation is one of the major players in educating and training a new generation of scientists able to deal with South African and African needs. The organisation encourages public awareness and appreciation of science, engineering and technology, and facilitates dialogue between science and society. Its vision is to contribute to a prosperous South Africa based on a knowledge economy. For more information on the operations and programs within the NRF please visit www.nrf.ac.za
Rapid technological advancement has impacted the media landscape extensively over the last few years forcing newsrooms to actively seek ways to adapt. Taking advantage of new technologies, the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) is partnering with Project Management Institute (PMI) to make available a revolutionary digital-based course to upskill and reskill journalists. This is PMI’s contribution to support innovation and digital transformation in the South African news media.
The Citizen Developer (CD) course will benefit 25 up-and-coming multimedia and community journalists. What sets this course apart is its distinctive relevance to a sector that needs to rapidly pioneer changes to transform the way it tells stories and engages with audiences. The onset of lockdowns in 2020 hastened the need to embrace technology in a way that bridges the worlds of traditional media and an always-on marketplace. The CD course is a welcome intervention to develop and enhance digital skills in the news media.
SANEF Chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa, says, “There is a clear need to create versatile channels and approaches for journalists to enhance their craft. We’re therefore pleased to partner with PMI on this first-of-its-kind initiative. It is a progressive step towards ensuring that the industry continues to adapt, evolve, and grow.”
Research highlights the need for rapid innovation in the news media across the country. According to Sortlist, the average South African spends 10 hours online on their smartphones every day for work, general browsing, and social media. That means journalists need more than just having an engaging online presence but become platform creators. Journalists selected for the CD course will be upskilled in the creation of applications software using low code / no code platforms.
PMI is pleased to support SANEF’s efforts to drive digital transformation in the news media sector. “We are delighted to be part of this initiative to empower journalists with skills to unleash their creative potential and transform the sector. We look forward to seeing innovative ways of creating and sharing stories,” said George Asamani, MD of sub-Saharan Africa at PMI.
SANEF will soon issue an invitation to journalists to apply for the opportunity as well as admission requirements and the selection process.
For more information please contact:
Reggy Moalusi Usman Aly
SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695 PMI regional communication lead for sub- Saharan Africa 0832298538
SANEF leadership are joined by Chief Executive: Brand Sanlam, Sydney Mbhele and Ma Gladys Maphumulo at the unveiling of the Nat Nakasa Grave Image: Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
The South African National Editors’ Forum in partnership with Sanlam today calls for the restoration of humanity and dignity in our country as it unveiled, for the second time, the tombstone of anti-apartheid activist, journalist Nathaniel Nat Nakasa.
SANEF has undertaken this task of mobilising resources to rebuild the tombstone after it was vandalised in 2021, alongside that of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa. The EThekwini Municipality had promised to restore the graves but had not done so until our intervention.
SANEF chairman Sbu Ngalwa says: “As SANEF, we could not just fold our arms and shrug our shoulders. Nat spent many years in exile, longing for a home that he was not allowed to return to. At some point he referred to himself as ‘a native from nowhere’. When we led the project to have his remains brought back to South Africa in 2014, it was also about restoring his dignity and closing a sad chapter in our dark history. Restoring this grave, after the vandalism, is to make sure that this important history of South African journalism and its heritage is preserved.
“We therefore thank Sanlam for coming on board and assisting us to rebuild Nakasa’s tombstone”
Sydney Mbhele Chief Executive: Brand Sanlam says: “Sanlam has partnered with SANEF an organization that champions media freedom and the work that they do for the protection of journalists. We saw it befitting as an organization coming from the private sector to continue to support this initiative of restoring the tombstone and the grave of Nat Nakasa. A man who was deeply connected with our history and legacy. By honouring and remembering him in this way, we are perpetuating his vision to ensure that justice is the cornerstone of what our country represents.
SANEF chairperson Sbu Ngalwa and Executive Director, Reggy Moalusi at the unveiling Image: Dzudzie Netshisaulu
This was a man whose writing skills played a pivotal role in the liberation of South African people. Therefore, an organization like ours that lives and operates among people believes it is important to partner with communities and non-profit organisations in areas where we can be able to evolve our history as a country and allow the future generations to be able to learn and be inspired by it.”
Nat’s only surviving sister Ma-Gladys Maphumulo says: “I am very grateful to both SANEF and Sanlam for this wonderful work. I have knocked at many doors to get my brother’s tombstone rebuilt and I failed. What out people are doing in desecrating tombstones is shocking and unfortunate. One wonders what has become of our wonderful nation. I also hope the Ethekwini Municipality will do its best to restore the dignity of graves such as Senzo Meyiwa who lies next to my brother Nat.
SANEF is troubled by the growing disregard of grave sites around the country. We believe that South Africa is better than this and its citizens do respect the final resting place for our loved ones.
We therefore appeal to all municipalities to restore the dignity of graveyards and properly protect gravesites from vandals and thieves.
Background:
Nat, whose legacy is celebrated in SANEF’s annual Nat Nakasa Courageous Journalism award, died in Upstate New York in 1965.
At the time he was on a one-way visa in the US, on a Nieman Scholarship, to escape threats to his life under the apartheid regime. SANEF, together with the Nakasa family and a range of stakeholders, worked tirelessly for years to bring the remains back to his childhood suburb of Chesterville outside Durban.
In 2014 his remains were returned to SA for reburial at the Chesterville cemetery Hero Acres site, a fulfilment of his last wish to return home to the country where he was born.
Nakasa paid a high price for his sacrifices, and everything must be done to restore his final resting place. SANEF has contacted the municipality division that was responsible for the reburial as well as the eThekwini municipality in the hope that the gravesites can be properly restored and bring comfort to all.
SANEF calls on the eThekwini Municipality to ensure better security at the Hero Acres as such vandalism cannot be allowed with criminals running amok and there is no prosecution.
Note to Editors:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) calls on the publishers of the SA Jewish Report to reconsider their position, following the publication’s expulsion from the Press Council of South Africa.
SANEF finds it unfortunate that the South African Jewish Report forced the hand of the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) to take the unprecedented action of expelling the SAJR after the publication refused to abide by the rulings of the Acting Press Ombud and the PCSA Chair of Appeals, Judge Bernard Ngoepe.
The matter stemmed from a complaint by the SA BDS Coalition and GIWUSA v SA Jewish Report. According to Press Council Chair Judge Phillip Levinsohn, the decision was taken after lengthy correspondence and after the SA Jewish Report had refused to abide by the finding against them. Judge Levinsohn said the Council spent time seeking to resolve the issue. However, the SA Jewish Report refused to publish the ruling against them.
SANEF calls on all members of the PCSA to respect the Press Council and its rulings. The Press Council is the bulwark against interference in the media and any self-respecting media organisation should be a member of the Press Council.
The Press Council continues to adjudicate complaints by members of the public and their findings, regardless of how they affect any member, must be respected.
The work of the PCSA is important in strengthening our democracy and ensuring that freedom of speech is protected while the highest ethical standards are upheld by the media.
SANEF reiterates our support for the Press Council and wish to implore all members, who subscribe to the principles of the co-regulatory mechanism, to remain committed to the system which is regarded as one of the best in the world.
We note that the Press Council is a voluntary, co-regulatory, public-dominated body which, inter alia, mediates and hand down binding ruling in terms of the Press Code. It does that to ensure ethical, fair, journalism.
We also wish to remind those who join the PCSA that they inadvertently commit to being bound by, and to publish, rulings of the Press Ombud and the Press Council’s appeals bodies. It should also be noted that dissatisfied parties with Press Ombuds’ rulings have the right to take them on appeal to the Appeals Panel, headed by an eminent, retired Judge, and if they are still unhappy, that can take the process on judicial review.
It is our view that no member of the Press Council should simply refuse to publish rulings against them. Therefore, compliance by the council’s members is deemed essential for its sustainability and credibility. Hence, the idea of simply refusing to adhere to its rulings not only undermines the Press Council but is also unfair to the complainants.
We implore the publishers of the SA Jewish Report to reconsider their position and abide by the ruling and to return to the fold of the PCSA.
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.
South Africa is facing several threats to freedom of expression with at least 59 separate incidents where journalists were subjected to physical or verbal attacks and harassment, Amnesty International South Africa, Campaign for Free Expression, Committee to Protect Journalists, Media Monitoring Africa, and the South African National Editors’ Forum said on World Press Freedom Day.
These include attacks on journalists by police, political parties, and the public; online threats targeting journalists such as hate speech, harassment, and doxxing; the surveillance of journalists by state intelligence; overly punitive legislation that targets journalists or limits their ability to report; and the ongoing vulnerability of senior journalists at the public broadcaster.
All of these are restricting the right to free expression in the country and have the potential to limit the right of the public to access information in the public interest. These issues must be properly addressed by the state in order to prevent a weakening of free expression in the country.
Last month, our five organisations made a joint submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) focusing on South Africa’s compliance with international human rights obligations related to freedom of opinion and expression. The UPR is a review of the human rights records of all UN member states held every four years. Our submission also looks at progress made since the last UPR review in 2017.
The submission details concerns over a number of issues, notably the physical attacks and harassment of journalists; online attacks and surveillance of journalists, “false news” and editorial interference at the SABC.
While the media in South Africa enjoys more freedom than many of their counterparts on the continent and other parts of the world, they still find themselves facing a barrage of attacks on a daily basis, physically and online. Trust in the media has also waned over the past few years, especially because of misinformation and disinformation.
Physical attacks and harassment of journalists
In the past five years there have been at least 59 separate incidents where journalists
working in the field have been assaulted, or verbally and physically harassed, preventing them from doing their work. The main perpetrators of these attacks have been the South African Police Services (SAPS); political parties or groups and their supporters; communities where reporting occurs; and criminals.
The attacks restrict the ability of journalists to perform their tasks properly, and therefore have direct consequences for freedom of the media and freedom of expression in South Africa.
The organisations were concerned that the attacks speak to an underlying lack of understanding and acceptance of the importance of a free media and the extent to which they are the result of deliberate attempts by politicians, including cabinet ministers, to undermine the media.
Online attacks
We have also seen an increase in online attacks on journalists. Since the last reporting period, journalists have been subjected to hate speech, death threats, threats of physical harm, and public attacks by politicians and public figures.
Of specific concern has been the targeting of journalists or the media in general by politicians which often leads to further online harassment and intimidation by their political supporters. Threats to female journalists have also been pervasive, with many of these attacks being gendered and include misogynistic attacks, death threats, and threats of rape.
These attacks undermine media freedoms and can have a chilling effect on a journalist’s willingness to perform his or her duties, sometimes leading to self-censorship. Journalists are also unable to find easy recourse to justice.
Surveillance of journalists
We have raised concern that reports of state surveillance of journalists by the Crime Intelligence division of the SAPS persist, with the latest incidents reported as recently as March 2021. This is despite the Constitutional Court declaring the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act 70 of 200219 (or RICA) unconstitutional.
Editorial interference at the public broadcaster
In the previous UPR review, South Africa supported a recommendation to ensure that journalists, especially those working at the public broadcaster, can work without fear of reprisals for expressing critical opinions, including when reporting on issues sensitive to the government.
Not enough was being done to ensure the editorial independence of the SABC. This includes potential for board interference in editorial decision-making, ostensibly to secure preferential coverage for the ruling-party.
Despite several house-cleaning exercises over the past five years, including a revision to the public broadcaster’s editorial code (which is considered a benchmark for editorial independence at the public broadcaster and is supported by the industry and media watchdogs) and reassurances from the broadcaster of its commitment to editorial integrity and independence, allegations continue to surface of undue political influence in editorial decision-making.
“False News”/Mis and Disinformation
In 2020, during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, regulations were issued in relation to the Disaster Management Act of 2002. Section 14 (2) of the regulations made it an offence to publish any statement “with the intention to deceive any other person” about Covid-19, or any measure taken by the government to address Covid-19.
We raised concern that attempts to criminalise the spread of “false news” will largely be ineffective, can be misused, and will have a chilling effect on media freedoms. Leaving “false news” unaddressed is also a problem, and can damage public trust in journalists, and result in a loss in media credibility, as was suggested in the 2021 Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility initiated by the Sanef.
However, criminalising the spread of information over educating the public and encouraging fact-checking and other mechanisms to increase the public’s access to trustworthy, objective and reliable data is likely to lead to serious infringements of media freedoms, including the misuse of this legislation by partisan authorities, censorship and self-censorship, and, as has been pointed out, could delay access to critical information that is in the public interest.
Other concerns raised in the submission related to:
Cybercrimes Act
Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill
Threats to whistleblowers
Review of the Protection of State Information Bill
Amendments to the Films and Publications Act
Children and the media
Read the full UN UPR submission on Freedom of Expression here.
For further information or requests for interviews, please contact:
Amnesty International South Africa Media and Communications Officer, Genevieve Quintal on +27 64 890 9224 or [email protected]
Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) Director, Anton Harber, on [email protected]
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Africa Program Coordinator, Angela Quintal, on +1 212-300-9004 or [email protected]
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) Director, William Bird, on +27 11 788 1278 or [email protected]
South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) Executive Director, Reggy Moalusi on +27 10 001 8971 or [email protected]
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) today proudly launches the revised e-version of the Reporting the Courts Manual, following a year-long collaborative public process that brought together the media, the judiciary, and media freedom advocacy stakeholders.
SANEF has also created a special portal https://courtreporting.sanef.org.za for journalists to access this revised edition of SANEF’s 2006 manual of the same name – offering extensive guidance for journalists reporting on South Africa’s law and justice system today. This enormous task was made possible with the assistance of Open Society Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA).
Due to popular demand, the manual was revised after appeals from various stakeholders and court reporters who argued that the original manual was outdated. Journalists can now access the revised e-version on this portal together with all related training material, put together by the Institute for the Advancement of Journalists (IAJ) who held training webinars last December and in January and February.
Sbu Ngalwa, SANEF’s chairman, said the revised manual would not have been possible without voluntary assistance from the country’s greatest legal minds, including the Justices of the Constitutional Court, who continue to support this initiative. It is the media’s goal to strive to be accurate and balanced when reporting all the courts, commissions of inquiry and related judicial processes, said Ngalwa.
“As journalists, we have the unique responsibility to explain the decisions and processes of our courts, to the public. To do that, we first must understand the court system and how it functions. After all, judges and magistrates have little power outside of the courtroom to explain or unpack their positions. That is why we need the media to play that role, that is public good journalism.”
“As an organisation, we do a lot of collaborative work with training institutions around aspects such as court-reporting principles. We also constantly lobby the Justice Department and the office of the Chief Justice to ensure that journalists have unrestricted access to magistrates and the high courts,” Ngalwa said.
The late Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa wrote the foreword in the first edition where he stated that: “(The) work of the media is not limited to reporting and criticising court decisions. Perhaps the greater challenge for the media is to educate people about their rights and how to enforce them.”
Justice Yvonne Mokgoro wrote the foreword for this revised 2nd edition where she said: “The law being a specialised field of knowledge, this reviewed version of the (Reporting the Courts) manual will continue to enhance the understanding and appreciation of court processes of reporting journalists…To the extent that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted court processes and the operations of associated entities, the revision will stand journalists in good stead.”
She said the contribution of civil society, including funders, the academia, members of the judiciary and the legal profession has been significant in this effort of rendering the media efficient and effective in its public information role and function. “The demonstrated collaboration between the media and relevant role players in the production of this important manual is thus highly commendable,” Justice Mokgoro wrote.
The first 2006 edition was written by veteran journalist and editor, Kevin Ritchie. media stalwart Gwen Ansell and researcher Nonkululeko Sibambato, now an attorney did the 2022 revisions.
Note to Editors:
Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was a judge of the South African Constitutional Court from its inception in 1994 until the end of her 15-year term in 2009. Most pertinently for her contribution here, she has served as Chairperson of the Selection Committee for the Press Council of South Africa, which appoints the Press Ombudsperson and members of the Press Appeal Board.
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.
SANEF in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism is hosting a series of webinars to accompany the relaunch of the Reporting the Courts manual.
The next instalment of the Reporting the Courts webinar series looks at the role of the judiciary and the office of the chief justice featuring @CASACZA @WhyJudgesMatter and the @HelenSuzmanFdn.
The coalition of Southern African journalism organisations in Gaborone this week, led by the Botswana Editors’ Forum (BEF), to investigate the country’s controversial new Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill has welcomed the Botswana government’s amendments to the Bill.
The government released amendments which reinstated judicial oversight over surveillance, interceptions and seizures. It also criminalized the abuse of these powers and introduced a new committee, headed by a judge and with extensive powers, that will oversee undercover investigations.
The coalition of organisations representing journalists across the SADC region gathered in Gaborone at the invitation of BEF. It came in response to the government’s plan to push through parliament a law that would have threatened the work of journalists and the country’s media freedom and free expression.
The coalition was led by the BEF and included the Press Council of Botswana, MISA Botswana, the Southern African Editors’ Forum (Saef), the Media Institute of Southern Africa, the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the WAN-Ifra Media Freedom Committee. This group asked to meet the President and other government officials to discuss their objections to the Bill.
It was a strong show of solidarity that highlighted the concern with a draft law that African Editors Forum chair Jovial Rantao called “draconian”.
The government’s latest amendments to the Bill removed clauses that would allow authorities to surveil citizens and conduct undercover operations without a warrant for up to 14 days. It went further and criminalized the abuse of these powers, with penalties up to life imprisonment. The new Controlled Investigations Coordination Committee will coordinate such investigations and also “protect the interests of interception subjects and targets”. The committee will be headed by a judge and has strong powers to “impose administrative sanctions, award compensation, issue and follow up enforcement procedures”. Its decisions will have “the same effects as a judgement of the court”.
“In our view, this is not a perfect Bill, but we are prepared to live with it as part of a trade-off that citizens make in a democratic society to help the state fight modern-day crimes like financial terrorism and money-laundering,” said Spencer Mogapi of BEF.
“I want to thank media colleagues from the region and abroad who came to show solidarity with us in Botswana at a time when we felt that the future was all dark,” he said.
“We appreciate that the government heard the concerns and quickly made changes to improve the Bill. It is a very positive sign when governments respond in this way.
“From a Bill that threatened media freedom, Botswana now has one that regulates covert investigations. It is not perfect, but – if implemented properly – can have positive effects, said Anton Harber, of (CFE).
Joseph Ailonga of SAEF said: “We welcome these amendments and would want to encourage our colleagues in Botswana to now focus on the implementation of this bill once passed.”
Tabani Moyo, MISA regional director, said: “We welcome the government’s decision to water down the bill, although needs to be done to balance citizens’ right to privacy and national security. We will continue to engage with the government and citizens to ensure that rights are protected.”
Contacts:
Anton Harber, Campaign for Free Expression +27-83-3039497 [email protected]
Spencer Mogapi, Botswana Editors’ Forum +267 72110101
Joseph Ailonga, Southern African Editors’ Forum +264 85-2717853
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In 2014 his remains were returned to SA for reburial at the Chesterville cemetery Hero Acres site, a fulfilment of his last wish to return home to the country where he was born.
SANEF in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism is hosting a series of webinars to accompany the relaunch of the Reporting the Courts manual.
