SANEF Condemns the Cyberbullying of Daily Sun Journalist

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly condemns the cyberbullying of Daily Sun journalist Amos Mananyetso.

This after the article he had revealed that a 23-year-old woman had opened a rape case in Sandton and identified an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader as an alleged perpetrator. The man has strongly denied the allegation.

Following the publication of the article, the SAPS has acknowledged the case had been opened, and stated that the EFF leader was not a suspect. As a result, the journalist has been cyberbullied and threatened on social media platforms.

SANEF maintains that those affected by published or broadcast material should always direct their complaints to relevant independent bodies including the Press Council and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA). These bodies have the authority to thoroughly investigate the media on issues of accuracy and ethics using the press code.

SANEF is also concerned that the SAPS’s statement singling out the journalist put his safety at risk. We understand that the lawyers of the Daily Sun have written to the SAPS demanding an apology and the retraction of the SAPS’s statement which sort to portray the journalist as a liar and as someone who failed to check the facts with the police.

SANEF always engages the SAPS through the office of the National Police Commissioner where differences are meant to be ironed out and amicable solutions sought to ensure a professional coexistence with law enforcement agencies and the media.

SANEF notes that the article also brings to the fore the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) a pandemic within a pandemic. In the next two weeks, SANEF is staging four Webinars to thoroughly discuss the lapses in media ethics as identified by the Satchwell Report on the country’s media ethics and credibility. In May SANEF will also be hosting an Ethics Conference where the media will seek to energise the sector to recommit to upholding the Press Code of ethics and a plan of action.

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.

For more information please contact:

• Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
• Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
• Mahlatse Mahlase – Secretary General (083) 399-2852
• Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
• Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
• Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610 9374
• Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
• Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
• Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF