SANEF Engages with the South African Human Rights Commission
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called for stronger collaboration between the Commission and the media, emphasising their shared responsibility in protecting the public and monitoring the government.
“We stand together with the media,” Chris Nissen, SAHRC Chairperson, stated at the annual meeting between the SAHRC and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) on February 24, 2005. “The media plays a critical role in alerting the SAHRC to incidents that fall within our mandate to monitor, investigate, or promote as part of our human rights obligations.”
He highlighted the media’s essential function in disseminating information and knowledge to the public, enabling informed decision-making. He further underscored the Commission’s appreciation for its relationship with the media.
Nissen proposed that engagement between the SAHRC and the media should extend beyond formal meetings to include collaborative activities such as annual lectures, workshops, and seminars.
“We live in a country facing three significant challenges: inequality, poverty, and unemployment. As the Human Rights Commission, our concerns are closely tied to the socio-economic crisis. We urge the media to engage with us as partners while also supporting our broader mission to build a better South Africa. Together, we can uphold human rights and responsibilities.”
He also stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of both institutions while exploring opportunities for cooperation.
“We can collaborate on various programs while respecting each other’s independence. You are independent. We are independent. But we can work together even when our opinions differ,” he said.
During the meeting, SAHRC commissioners shared details about their respective portfolios and the provinces where they are stationed. SANEF, in turn, outlined its 2025 program of action, highlighting plans for voter education training for journalists ahead of the 2026 local government elections. This initiative aims to equip journalists with the knowledge they need to inform the public effectively.
The commissioners expressed their gratitude to the media for its accurate and fair reporting on the Commission’s investigative inquiries in Mpumalanga and the Free State. They also commended the media’s balanced coverage of discussions between the Commission and various government ministers, including those responsible for Water and Sanitation, Cooperative Governance, and engagements with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation.
The Commission acknowledged that media coverage had significantly enhanced its visibility and reach within communities, ensuring broader awareness of its work.
SANEF used the opportunity to raise concerns about the challenges journalists face, particularly cyberbullying and harassment, with female journalists often being targeted. The organisation also highlighted the intimidation — both direct and indirect — that journalists endure, especially during political campaign seasons.
The SAHRC acknowledged these concerns, noting the increasing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to intimidate journalists and suppress legitimate reporting.
“It is troubling that legal mechanisms are being misused to hinder investigative journalism,” Nissen remarked. “Such tactics falsely portray journalism as harassment to silence critical reporting.”
He revealed that the Commission had discussed this issue at its recent Senate meeting and committed to supporting the media fraternity. The SAHRC pledged to issue statements in defense of journalists facing harassment and expressed interest in tackling misinformation and disinformation, another key area of concern for the media.
Additionally, the Commission committed to continuing its visits to newsrooms, fostering open discussions with journalists and editors in their work environments to better understand their challenges and concerns.
Ends
