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President Cyril Ramaphosa

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Hands Off Journalists! SANEF Tells Crime Intelligence Division

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SANEF questioning the legality of the alleged surveillance of Journalists. Pic by Gouta Flikr.com

 

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly condemns the threats, intimidation and bugging of investigative journalists by the Crime Intelligence division of the South African Police Service. SANEF calls on the SAPS to immediately cease the surveillance of journalists.

The latest journalist to be threatened is the Daily Maverick’s Marianne Thamm, who has become a target of a Crime Intelligence investigation into the leaking of documents. Thamm was the victim of a house burglary this week during which her work laptops were stolen. Other valuables were left untouched.

Thamm reported on documents that were submitted in court papers by former Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Peter Jacobs. The fact that the SAPS has confirmed a formal investigation into leakages to journalists is underway creating the unavoidable suspicion that Thamm’s break-in is linked to the investigation into her sources.

Thamm is in possession of internal communication from the SAPS confirming that her reporting on court papers by Jacobs is deemed as a “leak” to the media. When she challenged SAPS spokesperson Vish Naidoo about this, he responded as such: “The fact that this latest document was leaked to yourself reinforces the need to investigate these leaks, but this time with even greater urgency.”

This is nothing but a blatant threat to Thamm and other journalists that they will be investigated.

This comes after News24 journalist Jeff Wicks also received numerous reports from police sources that he was under surveillance by Crime Intelligence. Wicks and Thamm have reported extensively on the fallout in the upper echelons of Crime Intelligence.

News24 lawyer Willem de Klerk has written to the acting head of CI Lieutenant-General Yolisa Mokgabudi questioning the legality of the alleged surveillance of Wicks.

We welcome the undertaking by Mokgabudi to investigate the illegal bugging of the News24 journalist. It is an illegal act because Judge Bess Nkabinde, who is the designated judge charged with authorising legal interceptions in terms of the Regulation of Interception and Communication Act (RICA), has stated that she has not authorised the surveillance of a News24 journalist.

We hope that Mokgabudi’s investigation will not only focus on the illegal bugging, but also on the extent to which whistleblowers and the media’s sources have been compromised by the illegal activity.

This has undermined the rule of law and is a stark warning of the dangers to the democratic future promoted by the Constitution.

SANEF will write to Police Minister Bheki Cele and President Cyril Ramaphosa to request that the culprits who have abused their positions of power to order such illegal surveillance of journalists are seriously dealt with. We want to see Minister Cele bringing order within the Crime Intelligence division and stopping them from targeting journalists in any surveillance because journalists’ sources must be protected.

Wicks and Thamm are investigative journalists in the country covering the most volatile battle in the SAPS — within the Crime Intelligence division — who are targeted. The coverage of the contestation for power in the key Crime Intelligence division of the SAPS is in the public interest, considering the massive impact it has on the lives of the citizens of South Africa.

Journalists cannot keep quiet and not investigate members of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies because of the potential to enable a criminal underworld to thrive and survive across South Africa.

It is not by accident that about 40 senior SAPS members, including former National Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and Deputy Police Commissioner Bonang Mgwenya, are facing criminal charges and that Richard Mdluli, the former Crime Intelligence head is behind bars. The brave work of journalists contributed to this.

Journalists must continue to hold the country’s law enforcement to account if leaders are acting outside the law. By covering the battle at the top and probe the state of the SAPS, journalists are contributing towards bringing stability in the lives of ordinary SAPS members so that they can focus on fighting crime, instead of suffering at the hands of intransigent and corrupt leaders.

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
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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Launch of the African Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists

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The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) participated last Friday 29th January 2021, in the UNESCO event where it launched the Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists in Africa. This platform will perform real-time monitoring, reporting and follow-up actions by both the duty and right bearers, in order to hold the perpetrators of violence against journalists and media outlets accountable for such violations.

The aim of this platform is to contribute to the achievement of the expected results in the amended Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (2019) and the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the virtual launch in his capacity as president of the African Union. His speech is here:

President Ramaphosa said in part: “The Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists in Africa is an important tool in promoting the safety of journalists and other media workers across Africa.

We look to this digital platform to contribute to an enabling environment for the media to operate in AU member states through respect for the rights of journalists and media workers and an end to impunity for crimes against journalists.

We urge all Africans, all institutions, and all heads of state and leaders of government to support this historic project.

Fifty years from now, when Africa celebrates the achievements of Agenda 2063, we will look back with pride at this moment, and at the role that the Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists will have played to end the harassment, detention and even murder of journalists. 

This would have been done while entrenching the rights enshrined in Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and in the Windhoek Declaration.

This Digital Platform will help improve awareness on the importance of media freedom and the safety of journalists in the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 aspirations.” 

You can also listen to Audrey Azoulay- Director-General of the UNESCO’s remarks on the launch of this Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists in Africa on 29 January 2021 here: UNESCO DG- Audrey Azoulay- on platform launch – DG Plateforme sécurité journalisme Afrique – – YouTube

The platform shall promote Partnerships, Prevention, Protection and Prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against journalists (4Ps) in Africa, by promoting the principles, national and regional coordination mechanisms which enhance the safety of journalists and combating impunity in crimes against them in Africa.

The establishment of this Platform is by African Media stakeholders through a steering committee chaired by the African Editors Forum (TAEF) and comprised of The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), The Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and with technical guidance from the Council of Europe (CoE) Platform on Promotion and the Protection of the Safety of Journalists. The technical set up is with the financial support from UNESCO Multidonor Programme for the Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists.

This Platform belongs to all the media partners in Africa, bringing together both the right and duty bearers, with equal stakes and rights. It seeks to leverage on the mandate African Union Organs and organs in enhancing the promotion of journalism profession and protection of the journalists on the African continent, as important pillars for the achievement of Agenda 2063 in AU Member States.

The platform has been established in consultation and support of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, at the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights (ACPHR) whose mandate is fully aligned to its objectives.

More on the launching of the platform is here: Launch of the African Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists (unesco.org)

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Disinformation (2)

SANEF Is Concerned About Whistle-blowers and Disinformation Campaign

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) will be writing to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to urgently request clarity on a supposed investigation into whistleblowers in the department.

Whistleblowers in public and private institutions are at the heart of unearthing corruption and malfeasance in government and the private sector. Journalists will not be able to expose corruption without their assistance.

It is concerning to note media reports that the DPE has allegedly initiated internal investigations aimed at unmasking whistleblowers. This follows reports about the qualifications of the department’s chief of staff, Ms Nthabiseng Borotho.

SANEF notes the DPE’s statement that these are not bona fide whistleblowers but corrupt individuals using whistleblowing to divert attention from the department’s efforts to investigate wrongdoing. We will be seeking clarity from the department.

The Protected Disclosures Act no 26 of 2000 makes provision for procedures in terms of which employees – in both the public and private sector – who disclose information, are protected from occupational harm. We believe that these principles need to be upheld.

Thuma Mina WhatsApp Group

SANEF is concerned about a disinformation campaign on social media, seeking to link senior journalists, including SANEF members, to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “Thuma Mina” campaign.

The campaign centres on a WhatsApp group set up by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) staff and named after the “Thuma Mina” service delivery programme (as opposed to the same name of the ANC’s election campaign).

According to information in SANEF’s possession, the group comprised a wide range of journalists from most media houses and it is purely used to share government information and press statements. It is one of the hundreds of WhatsApp groups that the government, political parties and private organisations use to disseminate information to journalists.

There is nothing nefarious or underhanded about the group and SANEF calls on those spreading disinformation about journalists to cease doing so.

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
  • 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
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

COVID-19

SANEF Welcomes Inclusion Of Media As Emergency Workers

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s historic speech tonight announcing a lockdown from midnight on Thursday 26 March until midnight on Thursday 16 April.

We note the categories of people who will be exempted from this lockdown include health workers, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), emergency personnel, those in the security services, the production of food and basic goods, essential banking services and so on. We note that journalists were not included in the speech – but that a “full list of essential personnel will be published”. Our understanding is that journalists will be part of the list.

SANEF believes that it is essential that journalists are allowed to do their jobs so that ordinary citizens have a clear understanding of what is happening in their country – so that they can contain and fight the disease. With people under lockdown, they need the media for information, to stay abreast of what is happening, to know what to do. Broadcasters need special permits to move from their houses to the studios. Media companies have already taken special measures to ensure only a skeleton staff is on call.

SANEF will be seeking further information from the Presidency and GCIS today to get clarity on issues such as categories of media workers that may be excluded – does this include workers at printing presses, delivery truck drivers etc. – identification issues, press cards, possible child care for single parents who are journalists and so on. We will report back to the industry as soon as we have further information.

Finally, SANEF again calls on all media houses to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of journalists and to avoid sensationalism. We need to ensure the distribution of responsible fact-checked, credible news and information.

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, education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
  • Mary Papayya – Acting SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor 0825713334
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape SANEF Convenor, 0780419528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Acting Gauteng Regional Convenor 083 582 1734
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – 082 926 6404
Diversity and Ethics (2)

SANEF to Reinvigorate Yearly Cabinet / SANEF Lekgotla

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President Cyril Ramaphosa with Sanef Acting Chairperson Katy Katapodis

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), held a transparent and robust engagement with President Cyril Ramaphosa at Tuynhuys, Parliament in Cape Town, yesterday (Tuesday 3rd March 2020). SANEF members and senior journalists from across the media sector were invited.

The President agreed with SANEF that there was a need to reinvigorate our yearly cabinet / SANEF lekgotla and to hold interactions, on a quarterly basis.

He agreed that it was important for the media to interact with government at all levels. The President promised to facilitate these interactions.

The key issues, in our wide-ranging discussion, included SANEF’s Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry, the budget speech, cuts to the public wage bill, the state of the economy, the restructuring of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) including Eskom, the President’s time in office and his leadership, and the media’s interaction with government and its leaders.

SANEF was particularly pleased to see that the country’s most senior editors and journalists attended this important event – which forms part of SANEF’s strategy to interact more often and more robustly with the Presidency in order to address any and all pressing and important matters related to the media industry.

Note for 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, education and training programmes.

For more information contact

  • Katy Katopodis – Acting SANEF Chairperson, (082) 805-7022
  • Mary Papayya – Acting SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor 0825713334
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape SANEF Convenor, 0780419528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Acting Gauteng Regional Convenor 083 582 1734
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – 082 926 6404