SANEF Holds a Successful AGM and Reiterates that Media Houses Should be Members of the Press Council and/or BCCSA
01 July 2025
On Saturday, 28 June in Johannesburg, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held a non-elective Annual General Meeting that discussed various issues from training and development of journalists, mental wellness, the upcoming Media20 (M20) Summit, and the important role of the Press Council of SA. Also discussed was the long-awaited media engagement between President Cyril Ramaphosa and the broader media in South Africa.
The AGM took place at Kaya 959 and preceded the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards later that day. See Standard Bank and SANEF congratulate the winners of the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards » SANEF | Protecting Media Freedom
Market and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry/ Competition Commission
The AGM noted the progress that the Competition Commission has made with the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) and is looking forward to seeing the final report, expected at the end of August. The AGM was unequivocal in its position that all media entities must be members of the Press Council and/or the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA. This has always been SANEF’s position, which abides by the ethical codes set out by these industry bodies.
With the Competition Commission favouring the establishment of a country fund to support journalism, SANEF reiterates its position that no media house should be considered for any possible funding if they do not defer to the guidance of these reputable industry bodies that uphold journalism standards and ethics.
Print and Digital Media Transformation Report
SANEF also noted the release, in June, of the Print and Digital Media Transformation report. While the report marks an important intervention, it however does not include the broadcast media in the country. The exclusion of the broadcast media is unfortunate and makes it difficult to engage with the report, as the entire media landscape – and not just print and digital reporting publications – is facing challenges of sustainability. SANEF is looking to further engage with the GCIS on the report. With regards to the report, SANEF welcomes and supports the recommendation that only those who belong to the Press Council and BCCSA must be considered for any funds intended for the revitalisation of the media in South Africa.
Presidency Engagement
The AGM noted the progressive meeting between SANEF leadership and Kenny Morolong, the deputy minister in the Presidency, following the organisation’s criticism of the government and the Presidency’s attitude towards the South African media.
The meeting was also briefed on the deputy minister’s feedback at a recent media engagement event which he had communicated SANEF’s call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to have a direct engagement with the broader South African media, as he last took questions from the media in 2020. The ball is now in the President’s court.
Training of Journalists
The AGM resolved that more funds need to be raised for the continuous training of journalists. The training should be on areas such as financial journalism, mental wellness, indigenous languages reporting, and other specialised beats such as health and education. An institution of higher learning will be sought, with the view of partnering to provide such training and improvement of skills in newsrooms, given the massive skills deficit in most newsrooms due to the well-documented sustainability challenges of the media sector.
Progress on the M20
SANEF and Media Monitoring Africa, through the support of partners such as Brand SA and Standard Bank, have made significant progress regarding the preparations for the Media 20 (M20). The M20 is an independent initiative by the media and involves a series of media events that will take place parallel to the G20.
An international media summit has been planned for September, and numerous international media organisations have come on board to support the M20 efforts in South Africa.
There will be several policy issue papers that will be released, and more information can be found at Home – Media20. The work continues to focus on areas such as the role of AI in journalism, intellectual property, children in the media, and information integrity.
The safety of journalists is also a topic for the M20.
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 by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
For more information, please contact:
Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134
Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621
Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415
Sli Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367
Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Rochelle De Kock – Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564
Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.SANEF.org.za
