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SANEF Calls for an Investigation Into Death Threats Directed at SABC Journalists

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On 11th December 2021, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) calls on law-enforcement agencies to investigate and arrest the callous criminals threatening the lives of SABC’s Lesedi FM journalists for covering the local government elections in the Free State Province.

SANEF has learnt with great dismay of a message sent to Lesedi FM News’ Current Affairs Senior Producer Dimakatso Motsoeneng where she received death threats including unprintable violence against her children too. Motsoeneng’s colleagues Palesa Chubisi and Lahliwe Matsoso also received similar threats.

These criminals accused the journalists and the LesediFM news team of being responsible for the ANC’s defeat at the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality and Metsimaholo Local Municipality.

SANEF notes with grave concern that this incident comes on the back of Transport Minister and ANC’s head of elections Fikile Mbalula’s baseless attack on the SABC for its coverage of the November elections.

Mbalula, who claimed the SABC never showed the good side of the ANC by focusing on poor service delivery, not only blamed the public broadcaster for the ANC’s dismal performance at the polls but he also singled out and attacked SABC Editor-in-Chief & Group Executive: SABC News & Current Affairs Ms Phathiswa Magopeni.

SANEF believes that the ANC should also do its own investigation and distance itself from these criminals using the governing party’s name.

The party should also rein in its leaders who have publicly attacked the SABC as such behaviour encourages cyberbullying by party members and their followers, particularly on social media.

The attacks are particularly harsh on women journalists with additional risks that range from sexual harassment, cyber-harassment to rape threats and even murder threats

We also believe that these attacks show disregard for the important role that journalists play in bringing news to the people, especially during this election period.

Anyone with a complaint about a story or broadcast should submit this to the BCCSA or the Press Council where it would be fairly and independently adjudicated.

We remain concerned about the impact of these attacks on the media’s ability to represent all voices in storytelling and ensure that all voices are heard. Many areas in the country are increasingly becoming dangerous hot spots to report from as several reporting crews have been robbed attacked.

SANEF believes that the safety of journalists is intertwined with the general safety and wellbeing of communities whose stories they are out to cover. Lack of safety compromises the working environment of journalists as well as their livelihoods. It also threatens media freedom.

We reiterate our call on law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute the criminals who attack or threaten journalists. These attacks place enormous physical and emotional burdens on journalists who are already exposed to severe constraints under a deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Without journalists focusing on the plight of communities, local government stories will go unreported.

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
  • Makhudu Sefara – Acting SANEF Media Freedom Chair 079 177 2134
  • 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
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Diversity and Ethics (2)

SANEF Calls for Transparency and a Fair Process on the SABC’s Disciplinary Process Against Its Editor-in-chief

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On 27 November 2021, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has learnt of the SABC’s decision to bring disciplinary action against its head of news Phathiswa Magopeni for alleged negligence and bringing the public broadcaster into disrepute.

These developments come on the back of political pressure and attacks on Magopeni – from the ANC, who accuse her of being the cause of the governing party’s poor electoral performance in the recent Local Government Elections.

While we are not saying that those two issues are related, however, the timing raises eyebrows and suspicions of a possible politically motivated witch-hunt.

The SABC has the responsibility to investigate the violation of a court order after an episode of the investigative programme Special Assignment was aired, six weeks after the court ordered that it should not be broadcast.

The media is not above the law, and court decisions must be respected. Any responsible company would do that.

We understand that the public broadcaster was interdicted on 14 September by the North Gauteng High Court from airing and/or broadcasting and/or publishing a Special Assignment investigative report exposing alleged anti-competitive conduct in the towing industry. While the interdict was still in force, the episode was broadcast a month and a half later, in breach of the court order. The public broadcaster is facing a contempt of court order and possible imprisonment of those who took the decision

SANEF does not condone the breach of the court interdict and always advocates for respect for the court processes in this country.

That is why we are calling for openness in the handling of the matter. Given that the waters have been muddied by the blatant political attacks on Magopeni and the SABC, over their coverage of the 1 November elections, we call on the SABC management to make Magopeni’s hearing public, in the interests of transparency. This will assist to dispel any perception that the process is a witch-hunt aimed at achieving political ends.

Magopeni has been the subject of personal attacks from some ANC leaders, including the recent criticism by Transport minister and ANC’s head of elections Fikile Mbalula.

The SABC is too important to fail or to find itself dragged back to the dark days of political control and manipulation.

It is only fair that the SABC management demonstrates to all South Africans that their actions are motivated by nothing other than the need to ensure that the good name of the public broadcaster is not dragged through the mud.

We will keenly follow this case to its natural conclusion.

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
  • 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
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
2

SANEF Calls on Political Leaders to Stop Interfering in Newsroom Matters

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) calls on political leaders to stop interfering in newsroom matters.

SANEF is concerned about the continued utterances from senior political leaders naming journalists and interfering in the operations of newsrooms – the heart of the media freedom bulwark.

As the country prepares for the upcoming local government elections, it is critical for political parties to maintain an arms-length approach when dealing with the media. History shows us that when politicians involve themselves in the inner workings of a newsroom – in this case, the public broadcaster – independence is eroded. It is dangerous. The online naming and targeting of journalists lead to harassment and attacks by political party followers and even physical and death threats.

We note the comments made by an EFF leader Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on social media naming the SABC Editor in Chief Phatiswa Magopeni and accusing her of a “ruthless reign” citing allegations that SABC journalist Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki was pushed out and that veteran journalist  is next. He further alludes that the SABC is “killed” by the ruling party and is a “lite” of commercial television news broadcaster ENCA. Statements of this nature smack of irresponsible and knee-jerk utterances. It borders on interference and overreach in the inner workings of the news management. Further, it has been widely publicised that Ms Gqubule-Mbeki has resigned from the SABC and had submitted a press statement to this effect.

SANEF does not get involved in labour matters but we are against politicians interfering in the internal affairs of media houses. If Mr Ndlozi as an MP has any concerns of any nature about the SABC, he should boldly raise them through the relevant portfolio committee in Parliament.

Journalists have a right to resign from an organisation including the public broadcaster. Journalists who have concerns with their management are encouraged to raise these via the normal channels and pursue alternative options available to them.

As we prepare to commemorate World Press Freedom Day tomorrow Monday, 3 May, we appeal to all in leadership positions, including politicians, to protect media freedom and allow newsrooms to function independently without interference. Journalists must not be placed in the middle of political and/ or inter-party factional disputes that are so endemic in the South African political landscape.

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

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Obituaries

SANEF Mourns the Death of Four Journalists

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) deeply mourns the deaths of four journalists who died in the past week from Covid-19 complications.

SANEF has learnt with great sadness of the passing of Sunday Independent news editor and investigative journalist Solly Maphumulo; Former Cape Argus photographer Enver Essop; resource coordinator in the SABC newsroom in KZN, Ismail Jinnah, and senior political journalist Knowledge Simelane of Ilanga Newspaper in KwaZulu-Natal.

Solly Maphumulo

Sunday Independent news editor Maphumulo died on Tuesday from Covid-19 related complications.

Zingisa Mkhuma, Sunday Independent editor, said Solly’s death was a tragic loss both for her family and the journalism fraternity. “I called her soldier because of her ability to investigate and get to the bottom of things.”

“She fell ill as soon as she came back from leave last week. She had complained about a tight chest even before we broke off for the festive season. She was admitted to hospital last Tuesday 5th January and she told me they had placed her on oxygen and had given her a drip. I thought she would be out in a few days and I was shocked to be told she passed away.”

“I was very fond of her and she was one of the young ladies I had hoped would be the leaders in our newsroom in the near future,” she said.

Former colleague and friend Baldwin Ndaba said Solly came to The Star during an exodus of black women journalists in the newsroom mostly to join private companies while others took jobs in government.

He said the rural girl from KwaMaphumulo in KwaZulu-Natal did not disappoint; her rise in journalism was like lightning. She exposed the shenanigans at the Hawks during the tenure of General Berning Ntlemeza. She broke the story on some law enforcement authorities and criminals using “grabbers”, to intercept conversations of private individuals. Her stories also exposed factions in the Hawks. The NPA was not spared either. She exposed injustices, favouritism and maladministration in the Gauteng division of the NPA – an effort she carried out meticulously.

Her former colleague Cecilia Russell described her as a “brilliant and determined journalist”. “She was brave. She became a top-class journalist, investigative reporter and a brilliant friend.”

Enver Essop

Former Cape Argus photographer Enver Essop died at the age of 54 on Tuesday after contracting Covid-19. Essop worked for several news publications, including Die Burger, the Cape Argus and the Cape Times. He was described by colleagues as a “gentle giant”.

Independent Media editor-in-chief Aneez Salie said: “I am saddened by the news. It was a pleasure working with Enver, nothing was too far for him. It is a reminder to our colleagues to be cautious and to take this virus seriously.” Salie was the Cape Times night news editor at the time he worked closely with Essop.

Photographer Ian Landsberg said: “Very few of the Argus photographers had the ability to capture the nuances of township life. He was a passionate photographer and he captured stories that you could really feel. He took his time when he went out on jobs to really capture an image and tell a beautiful story.”

Ismail Jinnah 

Veteran SABC television and radio producer, Ismail Jinnah, passed away last week following Covid-19 complications at the age of 65. He retired in 2019.

Former colleague Izak Minnaar described Jinnah, who was resource coordinator in the SABC newsroom in KZN when he retired, as an outstanding researcher and trainer.

“He was passionate about training young journalist on how to use technology to advance their careers. He came up with lots of tricks and digital techniques that enabled journalists to excel in researching content for their stories and also to grow their digital skills in studio production,” he said.

Minnaar said Jinnah spent the last years of his career involved the planning and deployment of teams for major projects such as elections.

Former Durban colleague and SANEF KZN convenor Judy Sandison said: “Ismail was a very dedicated and hardworking person whose commitment to excellence shone through in every project he undertook at SABC news – during his time both in Johannesburg and in Durban. He was also a digital fundi who trained news staff to expand their work across digital platforms.”

Knowledge Simelane

Veteran political writer Knowledge Simelane died from a suspected Covid-19 related illness yesterday.

Editor Philani Mgwaba described Knowledge Simelane as a man with a fountain of political knowledge and a thorough understanding of government political dynamics, especially in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“His death has come as a great shock to us. To die alone as he did is incredibly sad. Knowledge was a great and unique human being with an infectious laughter and a great sense of humour, which was a tonic to all of us in the newsroom,” he said.

He will leave a great void at Ilanga and we wish to express our sincere condolences to the Simelane family.

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
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610 9374
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Sustainability & Media Relief Fund 1

SANEF Proposes Independent Mediation for SABC News Impasse

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held cordial meetings on Thursday (19 November 2020) and Friday (20 November 2020) with SABC editors and executives respectively to find a way forward in the current impasse facing the public broadcaster.

SANEF notes that the SABC board announced late on Thursday night that it was suspending the restructuring process by seven days to allow for further consultation.

News reports have indicated that media unions are going ahead with strike action that threatens a blackout of broadcast and digital services at the public broadcaster.

SANEF has proposed a mediated process to both management and editors to try and resolve the impasse, as the instability in the news division at the public broadcaster threatens its ability to deliver on its expansive, but sadly unfunded public mandate.

The SABC delivers news in all 11 official languages across the country and two San languages, Khwedam and !Xuntali, and it is the only institution with regional offices, ensuring that rural and marginalised communities are given a voice. In parts of our country, it remains the only source of information for communities. It, therefore, remains central to South Africa’s ability to ensure thriving participatory democracy.

It was clear to SANEF that none of the parties dispute the critical need for the SABC to restructure and cut costs. A bloated, top-heavy structure is the unfortunate consequence of years of mismanagement, including the payment of above-inflation and irregular increases and bonuses. All parties agree that for the SABC to be saved, costs must be cut.

In our meeting with editors on Thursday, they indicated that they remain committed to the restructuring of the SABC to ensure its sustainability and ability to continue to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

But they expressed frustration that there was not sufficient consultation on the proposed structure and indicated that there were gaps in the structure presented that could impede operations directly linked to delivering on its public service responsibilities.

The SABC executive, led by Group CEO Madoda Mxakwe, explained that Treasury conditions on the bail-out it received included reducing its salary bill, which currently represents more than half its revenue and 43% of its expenditure. In the news division alone, 93% of the budget is spent on salaries.

Management also warned that should the turnaround strategy not be implemented, the SABC will run out of money by April. SANEF is of the view that urgent action must be taken to avoid this situation, that will be to the detriment of millions of South Africans.

The SABC executive reiterated its commitment to continue to deliver on the SABC’s constitutional mandate despite the lack of funding from the shareholder.

SANEF believes a mediated process between the newsroom and the management team will allow for the management team to share with the editorial staff the vision for the SABC and explain the difficult choices it had to make as part of safeguarding the sustainability of the SABC.

The editorial team will be able to share with management its proposals on ensuring that while the inevitable restructuring process is carried out, there are no gaps that threaten operations.

FUNDING THE PUBLIC MANDATE

SANEF is however concerned that the SABC’s critical public mandate has never been funded sufficiently by the government despite promises over the years to do so.

Instead, there has been a reversal of support to the SABC.

For example, the SABC was not given extra funding to cover the 2019 national and provincial elections. The public broadcaster played a critical role in giving voice to ordinary South Africans and gave the opportunity for political parties to share their manifestos with the public.

The SABC plays a critical role in informing and educating the public on pandemics like Covid-19, especially in a climate where audiences turn to credible media outlets for factual news.

In the week after the National State of Disaster was declared, the average audience for IsiZulu language TV news on SABC increased by 40% and IsiXhosa news audience rose by 60%.

The pandemic has had a disastrous impact on the finances of all media companies, including the SABC, again highlighting the need for proper government funding of the public broadcaster.

Government and political parties cannot speak about the importance of the SABC but fail to provide it with the necessary financial support to execute that mandate.

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
  • 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

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

2 (2)

SANEF Calls On SABC Management to Protect Newsrooms

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is concerned about the instability at the SABC after the announcement of impending retrenchments.

As part of its turnaround strategy, the SABC announced this week it would retrench 400 of its almost 3,000 employees. Newsroom staff are also affected. Apart from the lay-offs, the SABC also stated that it would freeze salary increases for the next three years.

Earlier in the year it forecast that it might have to lay off 600 jobs for its own survival. The SABC’s salary bill represents more than half its revenue and 45% of its expenditure.

SANEF calls on the SABC leadership to continue to fulfil its public mandate by ensuring that its budget cuts do not curtail a number of critical services including its African language and regional programming. We call for the SABC to ringfence core news and current affairs posts and not compromise its core public mandate of news delivery.

SANEF will be seeking a meeting with the SABC to get a deeper understanding of its restructuring plans and its vision for the future of the public broadcaster. We note that Section 189 notices to the newsroom staff have temporarily been withdrawn.

Since President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the Coronavirus pandemic a national disaster on 23 March 2020, more than 700 jobs have been lost in the media industry. In the first two months of the lockdown we saw the closure of two magazine publishers and 80 small print publications operating across the country.

SANEF notes with deep concern that in many newsrooms around the country, journalists are simply not replaced, resulting in a diminished capacity to cover the length and breadth of the country. With the prevailing tough economic conditions, advertising revenue has declined dramatically, and the bulk of digital advertising revenue leaves the country’s shores to Facebook and Google.

It is not just the COVID-19 crisis that has decimated the media sector. In the past three years, scores of journalists lost their jobs due to retrenchments by the then Tiso Blackstar, Media24, Independent Media and the shutdown of Afro Worldview, previously known as ANN7, by MultiChoice. Titles like The Times and HuffPost SA were closed, which diminished the diversity of voices in South Africa.

We call on media owners to think creatively and responsibly about implementing new, sustainable business models, built on the integrity and the trust that our readers, viewers and listeners place in us to tell the country’s stories without fear or favour.

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
  • 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

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Sustainability & Media Relief Fund 1

SANEF Concerned That Media24 is Considering Retrenchments, Closures and Reduced Frequencies of Its Operations

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is dismayed to learn that one of the country’s biggest multiplatform media companies will be retrenching hundreds of journalists, due to the negative impact of COVID-19.

SANEF notes with deep concern the statement by Ishmet Davidson, CEO of Media24, that the pandemic has “accelerated the pre-existing and long-term structural decline in print media, resulting in a devastating impact on our own already fragile print media operations with significant declines in both circulation and advertising since April”.

Davidson further stated that even with a return to pre-COVID-19 economic levels, the impact of the pandemic on print media operations will be unrecoverable. As a result, the company’s planned interventions are expected to affect around 510 staff members (with a proposed reduction of close on 660 positions) out of a total staff compliment of 2 971, largely across the print media and distribution divisions.

The company’s move will lead to the closure of some magazines, and others will be moved to digital platforms or outsourced. Media24 plans to close Move!, and the Hearst portfolio (Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Bicycling, Runner’s World); publish DRUM in digital format only. And it will outsource the editorial production of the remaining monthly portfolio including Fairlady and SARIE amongst others. Further, they plan to reduce the frequency of their monthly magazines to six issues per year, and eight issues for tuis/home, SA Hunter/Jagter and Man Magnum.

The same fate awaits its newspapers as the company said it planned to close Son op Sondag and Sunday Sun. It will also close the Eastern Cape edition of Son, four community newspapers in KwaZulu-Natal: Amanzimtoti Fever, East Griqualand Fever, Hillcrest Fever and Maritzburg Fever.

It is going to publish the Volksblad and Die Burger Oos-Kaap as weekday digital editions, consolidate the Noordkaap and Kalahari Bulletin into a single newspaper, Noordkaap Bulletin, and Kroonnuus and Vrystaat Nuus into Vrystaat Kroonnuus. At the same time, it is incorporating Theewaterskloof Gazette into Hermanus Times. It plans to accelerate the digital transition of The Witness.

The process will also lead to the reduction of staff in its media distribution business as well as in divisional and corporate services departments related to the proposed reduced print media operations.

SANEF also takes note of the recent SABC notice of possible job redundancy/retrenchments and notification in terms of section 189(3) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (“LRA”) that was sent to staff members on 18 June 2020. The SABC stated that a possible 600 jobs could be lost.

SANEF joins the SOS Coalition (SOS) and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) in their statement that the long-term financial sustainability of the SABC is essential to the well-being of our democracy.

We are painfully aware that any SABC and Media24 retrenchments in the media sector will exacerbate unemployment as mass retrenchments have hit us hard since the beginning of the COVID19 lockdown.

Last week Thursday SANEF launched a relief fund for journalists who had lost their livelihoods as a direct result of the COVID-19 national disaster. In April alone we saw the closure of two magazine publishers and 80 small print publications operating across the country, leading to the loss of over 700 jobs for journalists. We appeal to South African corporates to spend their advertising budgets with South African media consciously, and that the public should take up subscriptions and continue to buy local papers.

We are concerned that the continuing closure of media houses will have a detrimental effect on our democracy as it limits the number of sources of information for the public, leads to regression in media diversity and multiplicity of voices. Since COVID-19 the process of newsgathering has transformed completely, and this element of personal danger is one of the most troubling changes for journalists. SANEF believes that the risks facing journalists remain unacceptably high for most, and tragically it has claimed the lives of some. And yet, most journalists remain resolved to fight to keep the principles of unwavering dedication to the pursuit of truth and making it available to all. And, we are convinced that the world needs journalists, now more than ever.

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:

  • Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson, (082) 805-7022
  • Moipone Malefane – SANEF Secretary-General (082) 772-5861
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (078) 041-9528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Gauteng Regional Convenor (083) 582-1734
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

Media Freedom

SANEF Welcomes Launch of New SABC Editorial Policies

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) welcomes the launch of the SABC’s editorial policies including the corporation’s commitment to resolving the controversy around the position of editor-in-chief. We welcome the resolution of this issue and the clarification that editorial decision making now rests with the Head of News and that this post is now officially designated as editor-in-chief.

We believe that this decision is critical to ensuring the independence of the SABC as it limits the possibilities of outside interference.

Further, we welcome a number of other important amendments to the policies including:

  • The introduction of the Press Code to guide digital publishing; and
  • The introduction of a new section on management of content on digital platforms.

We note the SABC’s statement that the rationale behind the amendments is to strengthen editorial controls by ensuring that, “editorial staff take full accountability for editorial decisions”. Further, we note the SABC Board’s statement that, “Consistent with the ethos of the SABC Charter, the policies give an exclusive right to the editorial staff of the SABC, to exercise journalistic, programming and creative independence.” We welcome these statements as we believe that editorial decision making must rest with journalists.

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:

  • Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 805-7022
  • Moipone Malefane – SANEF Secretary General (082) 772-5861
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape Convenor, (078) 041-9528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 582-1734
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

COVID-19

SANEF Stands in Solidarity With Colleagues From the SABC Kimberley Office

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The South African National Editors’ Forum  (SANEF) stands in solidarity with our colleagues at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) – this after one of their journalists tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID19) in the Kimberley office in the Northern Cape.

SANEF understands that the public broadcaster took immediate precautionary steps yesterday and shut down its operations in the region. All staff are working from home.

SABC Editor-in-Chief Phathiswa Magopeni said the organisation is in contact with the journalist who is recovering at home.

Magopeni states, “We wish him well. We know that he came into contact with two German tourists. Given the close proximity of our news staff in the newsroom – 25 colleagues in the Kimberley office – we decided, as a precautionary measure, to close the office and have all staff quarantined and tested. We are developing contingency plans for the operations there.”

“As the SABC, since the start of the disaster, we have taken critical precautionary measures to safe-guard all our staff – with masks and other protective gear and items. But clearly given this scenario it calls for journalists to be extra careful”, added Magopeni.

SANEF calls on all media organisations to make sure their staff are kitted with the relevant protective gear. Journalists and media workers are among the essential staff listed on government’s lock down regulations and must be cautious when out reporting on the spread and containment of the virus. We refer all media organisations to the safety tips including on our SANEF website https://sanef.org.za/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

South Africa is in its first day of our 21-day lockdown period. SANEF calls on all media organizations to act responsibly and with care and consideration and to make sure that they have taken all precautions to keep their staff safe.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the two South African women aged 28 and 48 who have succumbed to the disease in the Western Cape.

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

 

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