The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) is deeply alarmed at what is about to happen in Botswana – the thwarting and suppression of free expression among its people and by extension the media through the contemplated Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill.
SAEF joins the Botswana Editors’ Forum (BEF) and the African Editors Forum in calling on President Mokgweetsi Masisi to withdraw the Bill before Parliament and allow for wider public consultations as it is bound to have serious ramifications not only on the people of Botswana but the whole SADC region because of clear and known interconnectedness between the people and institutions of the country.
The Bill in its current format is dangerous as it forces the disclosure of information by citizens including journalists and allows intelligence officers to use fake identities while providing them immunity from prosecution.
A lack of oversight on the intelligence operatives is itself frightening, especially in a county we had come to regard as a beacon of good governance.
The Bill will also introduce a culture of arrogance and willy-nilly condemnation and execution of innocent citizens reminiscent of the colonial and apartheid-era. What Botswana is advocating in the Bill is totally against the ethos and spirit of the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport to which Botswana and 15 other member states in the region are now signatories.
Four key articles and clauses in that sanctity document stand out for us and all the people of SADC and these are Articles 17(a), 18(4), 19(1) and 20 but especially the last two which speak about member states agreeing to “cooperate in improving the free-flow of information within the region” and ensuring the “freedom and independence of the media”.
We are worried as SAEF, and here we associate ourselves with both TAEF and BEF that the contemplated piece of legislation will negate all the gains made through the regionally, continentally, and globally acclaimed Protocol which is concomitant with the Windhoek Declaration.
Even without this Bill, there was already widespread assault on the media in Botswana. We shudder what will become of the media when this Bill becomes a law.
We hope Parliament in Botswana and also the State President will be responsive to public outcry and take the Bill out to the public for consultations.
Additionally, we call on the United Nations Human and Peoples Rights Commission, through the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, and also the African Union Commission to take a stand and sanction Botswana.
Botswana, it is important to point out, does not have a Freedom of Information law. This by itself, even without this envisaged law has huge negative implications on the functions of the media and also on citizens’ ability to access information and hold authorities accountable.
For a country that has a reputation of democracy, the absence of Freedom of Information law is a big failure on the part of authorities.
We call upon all journalists in the SADC region and the world over to come together in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Botswana.
SAEF together with other regional media freedom partners will as a matter of urgency be sending a delegation to Botswana in solidarity.
REPORTING THE COURTS WEBINAR SERIES 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 in the Reporting the Courts webinar series will take place on 27 January.
This session will include insights from:
Mthunzi Mhaga – Special advisor and spokesperson to the NPA
Yvonne van Niekerk – Director of court administration at the Office of the Chief Justice
Karyn Maughan – Legal journalist at Media24
Chrispin Phiri – Ministry of Justice spokesman
The session will be facilitated by Dianne Hawker and Dr Candice Bailey.
SANEF in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism will be hosting a series of webinars to accompany the relaunch of the Reporting the Courts manual.
Webinar 1 : UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE RULE OF LAW IN SOUTH AFRICA
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), a constituent of the Press Council, yet again reminds journalists of this code as it has sadly, and regrettably, learnt of the election of Edwin Ntshidi as a PR councillor of Action SA in the City of Johannesburg.
On independence and matters relating to conflict of interest, the Press Code clearly states that: “The media shall not allow commercial, political, personal or other non-professional considerations to influence reporting, and avoid conflicts of interest as well as practices that could lead readers to doubt the media’s independence and professionalism.”
Ntshidi, a freelance reporter, covered the recently concluded municipal elections for EWN. While we are happy that he is no longer a reporter, and his association with EWN ceased, we are equally concerned at his conduct and why he agreed to be an Action SA candidate, while he was reporting on politics, including the very same party he now represents. It must be noted Ntshidi never disclosed to EWN his political ambitions.
SANEF takes ethical journalism, fair and balanced reporting, and the non-association of journalists with political parties seriously, hence our disappointment at this latest development.
This development is in contrast with the work the entire media fraternity, SANEF and other stakeholders, have been doing in regaining the lost trust in the media. Journalists are always advised to steer clear of conflict of interest, be trustworthy and do their work with integrity.
Media entities in South Africa are led by editors who always encourage their journalists to be independent, and practise high standards of journalism which should not be compromised by the lure of political office. Our audiences, in a time we are asking them to trust us again, cannot at this point doubt our political independence.
Whenever matters of conflict of interests arise, be it political or commercial, journalists are advised to always alert their editors so that they can act on these.
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.
MTN has once more raised its hand as it decided to support the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) towards both organisations’ critical programmes.
SANEF and the AIP once more encouraged with the telecommunications group’s efforts in supporting the work being done by the media. Last year MTN was one of the founding companies that supported the establishment of the Media Relief Fund, which has so far assisted hundreds of journalists who lost their income due to Covid-19.
This time around, MTN will be supporting the AIP as it intends to assist community media entities, largely affected by the July unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. SANEF will be supported towards the safety training of journalists, a growing concern as media workers have been under criminal attacks, with the latest incident happening in Cape Town this week.
MTN pledges an amount of R800 000,00 to be equally shared between both organisations in support of their work and members’ needs.
Sbu Ngalwa, SANEF’s chairperson, says: “The safety training of journalists is an issue we take seriously as an organisation. Recent incidents have necessitated that we pay closer attention to this and assist journalists across community and mainstream media to be well equipped when they go out to cover stories. We are grateful for this much-needed assistance by MTN.”
The funds are intended to help grassroots publishers pay for printing and distribution costs and assist them to get back on their feet again after the damages and loss of advertising revenue caused by the unrest and looting.
Community print media remain a critical voice in their communities, as their widespread coverage spans across the country’s provinces, and the publications are available in nine (9) South African official languages.
MTN SA’s Executive for Corporate Affairs, Jacqui O’Sullivan says: “Community media have such a critical role to play in the day-to-day issues on the doorsteps of so many South Africans. These critical role players have continued their good work in the face of adversity during the pandemic and recent looting and riots. We salute them and hope that this funding will assist them in carrying on their good work.”
The AIP is immensely grateful for the support that has been offered by MTN to its member-publishers as it will give them a much-needed boost and fill-in the unexpected financial gap that was caused by the unrest and looting.
It must be noted that MTN is the founding funder of the Media Relief Fund, managed by SANEF. The fund’s sole intent was to assist financially constrained journalists affected by Covid-19. The fund is now in its fifth and last round, which will see ninety-nine media workers getting financial help.
MTN, SANEF and AIP are now calling on other South African corporates to join us and to assist community media and journalists more broadly with contributions to SANEF’s newly established, Journalism Sustainability Fund.
The SANEF Reporting the Courts handbook, first published in 2006, has now undergone a complete update and will be available as an online, printable resource for all journalists.
To accompany the relaunch of the handbook in this updated form, SANEF is seeking bids from training providers to create five online training sessions to support users, which can be posted alongside the text on the SANEF website for access at any time.
Ideally, these resources should not be simply recorded, text-based lectures. Rather, SANEF is seeking imaginative proposals to create engaging, interactive sessions – for example, a live teaching session or panel discussion enhanced by interactive elements; a podcast or a short video/graphic presentation – which should be:
between 20-40 minutes each in duration.
contain interactive elements to foster learning; and
the focus should not be on teaching legalese, but on broader principles/topics (such as the rule of law, open justice, justice for minors, rehabilitation and more) that underly the working of the courts, to support and illuminate the detail available in the text.
Proposals should detail the content proposed for each session, the format envisaged, and a timeframe for producing all five sessions, as well as total cost with budget heads indicated.
Send your proposal in writing to Dzudzie Netshisaulu by email: [email protected]
DEADLINE: 22 August 2021
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) in partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) are striving to prioritise journalism wellness in all newsrooms across the country this year.
We are excited to announce that the Webinars are kicking off and one will be held on July 10th with all SANEF members and all affected journalists. The virtual training is to be held on Saturday, 10 July, from 9am to 12pm.
Please see the attached invitation for more details. We invite and encourage all journalists to attend. Please click here to register: https://bit.ly/3y76oKe
We will cover key topics including grief, trauma, burnout, compassion fatigue, managing anxiety, coping with workplace stress, depression, etc.
July is Mental Health Awareness Month and there is no better time than now to roll out this project to all newsrooms. SANEF AND SADAG encourages all editors and journalists across the country to make use of these services and to participate in the webinars.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is thrilled to announce a key partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) as it strives to prioritise journalism wellness in all newsrooms across the country.
As Covid-19 continues to sweep through South Africa, there is no doubt that many journalists are directly feeling the impact and the trauma of what is unfolding in the country. Journalists are on the front lines of this pandemic – reporting on every aspect from the sick and the dying, to job losses, the economic impact and corruption.
The media fraternity has lost too many valued colleagues as a direct result of Covid-19 and journalists have also experienced much personal loss.
This, coupled with other stories dominating the news cycle has resulted in growing numbers of journalists experiencing PTSD, burnout, anxiety and depression.
Prioritising the mental and psychological support of journalists is a critical part of SANEF’s work and we look forward to the full roll-out of the partnership with SADAG.
As part of this rollout, we will undertake the following:
WEBINAR SERIES
– Hosting online webinars with key experts on mental health issues, as well as speakers with lived experience. These will be recorded and shared with journalists who weren’t able to attend.
– We will cover key topics including grief, trauma, burnout, compassion fatigue, managing anxiety, coping with workplace stress, depression, etc.
MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY
– An online survey specifically focused on the mental health of journalists will be developed in order to assess symptoms of anxiety, stress and trauma.
TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR MANAGERS & LEADERS
– The programme will be rolled out to all newsrooms and SADAG will host smaller workshops with editors and newsroom leaders to equip them with critical tools such as debriefing skills, basic counselling skills, trauma debriefing containment and mental health in the workplace.
DEDICATED SMS SUPPORT SERVICE FOR JOURNALISTS
– SADAG will provide a free mental health support service to all journalists through a dedicated 24-hour SMS service (SMS number: 31985) that will run 7 days a week. Journalists seeking mental health help, support or crisis intervention will be able to SMS the number and a SADAG counsellor will call them back within 15 minutes to assist further.
– SADAG will provide free telephone counselling, trauma debriefing and containment, as well as use its extensive referral guide of nationwide resources to assist journalists
– In specific cases where journalists cannot afford therapy or counselling. SADAG will use its network of pro-bono mental health professionals and partnerships with key organisations to assist further.
– SADAG will keep calls strictly confidential and keep detailed case management notes
We are excited to announce that the Webinars have already kicked off and another will be held on July 10th with all SANEF members and any and all affected journalists who would like to attend (https://bit.ly/3y76oKe)
July is Mental Health Awareness Month and there is no better time than now to roll out this project to all newsrooms.
SANEF AND SADAG encourages all editors and journalists across the country to make use of these services and to participate in the webinars.
The training is to be held on Saturday, 10 July, from 9am to 12pm.
Note to Editors: The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is one of the country’s leading mental health patient support and advocacy group which has been running for the last 27 years. SADAG’s aim is to destigmatise mental health and create awareness to help encourage more people to get help and support. It runs a 24-hour helpline call centre providing free telephone counselling, information and referral to resources nationwide. SADAG also runs over 160+ Support Groups nationwide, rural outreach programmes, school talk programmes, corporate wellness workshops, advocacy projects and awareness campaigns.
SADAG has worked closely with press and media over the years and really value their help in creating awareness around mental health and supporting the work we do. It is important for SADAG to partner with SANEF to make sure we can also help look after the mental health of journalists around the country who deal with high levels of stress, anxiety, trauma and grief on a daily basis. They also need support, and this is our way of giving back to them during these difficult times especially.
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.
We join the world in marking World Press Freedom Day an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the long and sometimes arduous journey to an independent but protected media. It is also an opportunity for all of us – government, opposition, civil society, citizens and journalists – to commit to doing our part to ensure that journalists do their work without fear or favour. It is also an opportunity to contribute to strengthening our deepening democracy.
It was on this day in 1991 – that journalists from across the continent – stood up to demand and chart a plan for an Independent and Pluralistic African Media. The journalists were standing up against being persecuted for speaking truth to power. Many lived in constant fear of imprisonment and even death. Their deep commitment and desire to bring to an end the gagging of media by dictatorship and autocratic regimes in parts of the continent became a catalyst for reform here in Africa and the world.
In 1991 when the journalists gathered in Windhoek – leading to the Windhoek Declaration – South Africa was on the cusp of democracy that promised a new world that would bring to an end the apartheid regime. It was a regime that tortured, arrested and banished journalists for daring to expose its violation of human rights and crimes against humanity.
30 years on, the world is a different place and South Africa now has one of the most celebrated constitutions. Today we celebrate Section 16 of the Constitution that states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression – which includes freedom of the press and other media.”
The founders of our constitution were clear – that the media had to be protected – to ensure we move away from any attempts by any other government of the day to silence media if they did not act as a mouthpiece for their propaganda.
Today we celebrate the bravery of South African journalists. They are part of the holding pillars of our democracy and shining the mirror on our flawed society, bedevilled by inequality, thievery and an overall betrayal of the promises of democracy.
It has not been an easy journey – We have been called unpatriotic, racists, enemies, spies etc by those who want their shameful actions to remain out of the public eye.
Today, we sit and listen to the State Capture Inquiry hearing in detail what journalists have exposed in the past decade.
We are asking those in power; why they chose not to see and not to act as the media exposed the corruption day after day.
Because the truth is – if they chose not to turn a blind eye – the cost could perhaps have not been as great as it is. Just maybe, we couldn’t be here – unable to support those in need as COVID-19 wreaks havoc to livelihoods. Our State-Owned Entities would not be in shambles, shedding jobs, and threatening what’s left of our economy and perhaps many more would have decent homes and access to basic necessities like water and shelter. Because that is the real cost of silence in the face of wanton looting.
While we have the media’s rights enshrined in our constitution, we have learnt in the 27-year journey of our democracy that even when guaranteed – FREEDOM STILL NEED DEFENDERS.
Apart from the politicians who threaten journalists, the advent of technology has also brought new threats like the often coordinated cyberbullying of journalists. Social Media is supposed to be a platform of engagement that could be a great instrument of giving people a voice as they interact with politicians and even journalists directly, but in parts, it has become a cesspool of insults, threats, and misogyny with women journalists being sexualized. It is being used as a weapon to silence journalists with chilling effects on the younger journalist, especially.
While some of the culprits are bots, we have seen politicians actively agitating for the assault of journalists and even when the attacks are done in their name – they have instead of calling for an end – savoured.
Social Media has also been used to spread conspiracies to tarnish journalists to weaken the critical journalism they produce. “The United Nations plan of action on the safety of journalists warns that every attack on a journalist distorts reality by creating a climate of fear and self-censorship.
At this time, the biggest threat to journalism is job insecurity for practitioners. The financial pressures that have plagued the media industry have been exacerbated by Covid-19. The regulations put in place to try to curb the spread of the pandemic saw already reduced advertising revenue nearly disappear almost immediately.
Those who were already on the brink – couldn’t survive and were forced to shut down. Many others remain open but have had to retrench to keep themselves financially viable or journalists have had to continue working with salary cuts.
An investigation done by SANEF at the beginning of Lockdown last year found that as many as 700 journalists lost their job while some magazine publishers and 80 small print publications were forced to shut down.
Yes, the journalists have lost a livelihood and will join the millions in the unemployment queues. But the biggest impact is on our democracy. It means our quest for the multiplicity of voices and diversity of coverage has really suffered a major blow.
Community publications are able to shine a light in the rural parts of our country – most neglected and hold the local government authorities accountable. They give those in the small towns – a much-needed voice in their own languages – in our country where the loudest dominate mainstream media in English.
The absence of those community publications will be felt even more now as we head to the local government elections that is the coalface of government and the absence of delivery of services has been felt most.
But smaller newsroom even in mainstream publications means that some stories will just not see the light of day while investigative journalism will shrink.
The financial pressures facing the industry has seen a shift to online publication. It has opened new opportunities for the industry and alternatives for audiences. We see the number of people reading news online continuing to increase and this can only get better given the number of people with smartphones in our country. Many have argued that this is the answer but the financial model is yet to be perfected.
Access also remains a major challenge for the majority. Data cost is a barrier and subscription walls are also going up as media houses fight for survival. The subscription walls are necessary because good journalism needs to be funded.
While the picture sometimes looks grim – it is not hopeless. We need to reposition the role of journalism in our democracy.
Firstly, it is important that we all advocate for the work of journalists as critical to the functioning of our democracy. We have to see and shout to the rooftops that their work is in public service.
And it starts with everyone standing up in defence of journalists. It cannot be left to organizations like SANEF or Media Monitoring Africa and other lobby groups to face off with those who want to escape scrutiny.
We need more voices to protect our journalists – to condemn politicians who think it’s okay for journalists to be groped or pushed around, politicians who refuse to condemn supporters who threaten to rape and beat up journalists or those that label journalists apartheid spies.
If the work of journalists is a public good – then society must stand in its defence, as media freedom is about our South Africa that we all want to flourish. It is about the right of South Africans to be informed and enable their participation in their democracy.
We also need new funding models that support journalism as a public good. We have been looking at various models.
We have seen in some countries – government support to media houses to protect their sustainability – and importantly that support has not diluted their independence.
Tax rebates have helped keep many media houses open and allowed for journalists to continue doing their work.
We are also hoping that others like telecoms will come to the party – and ensure that credible news platforms that are regulated by the Press Council – are zero-rated – to allow for wider access.
As SANEF – we have held a mirror to ourselves. We have taken the unprecedented step – to investigate ethical lapses in our own newsrooms because we believed we cant hold others accountable – and not do so ourselves.
It was an acknowledgement that while there are those who are driving a wedge between us and the South African public – we have not always done right – weakening the critical trust relationship with those we serve.
We have concluded the Ethics Inquiry led by Judge Kathleen Satchwell and veteran journalists Rich Mkhondo and Nikiwe Bikitsha.
It has provided us with an opportunity to introspect and we are now looking at a five-year Ethics Plan to ensure a continuous drive for journalism to meet the highest ethical standards. The plan will be debated and adopted at an ethics and credibility conference to be held later this month.
We have already held a series of webinars – looking at the 69 recommendations by the Satchwell Report and debated them to help inform our plan. Some of the recommendations – are beyond SANEF’s mandate but demand various sectors of society to do their part.
As we mark this World Press Freedom Day, let us remember the long road we have travelled, the battles we have won and the challenges that lie ahead.
More importantly let us commit ourselves to ensure a free, independent, thriving and sustainable media.
I thank you
Mahlatse presented this speech at the University of Johannesburg’s World Press Freedom Day event on 3 May 2021.
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