SANEF condemns attacks on journalists during #FreeJacobZuma unrest and looting in Gauteng.
11 July 2021
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) would like to strongly condemn the attacks on journalists covering the deadly, violent unrest and looting in Gauteng, led by those demanding the freeing of imprisoned former president, Jacob Zuma.
Television crews of the SABC were robbed in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, while a camera and vehicle belonging to Newzroom Afrika was badly damaged in Hillbrow, near the city’s CBD. The two attacks leave a bitter taste in the mouths of journalists and editors, who assigned teams to cover the violent protests across Gauteng this morning.
It’s utterly disgusting that a threatening protester would tell a reporter “he will die today,” as was said to a News24 journalist. Yet again, we will always call on the organisers of such protests to call for calm, and to respect and accord the media space to do its work. Journalists must be allowed to report and encouraged to report all news incidents, without being intimidated or threatened, while remaining vigilant.
Contrary to a disinformation campaign across various social media platforms, journalists have been covering these protests since they emanated in KwaZulu-Natal, following the jailing of Zuma at the Estcourt Prison on Wednesday night. The coverage has been well documented by all platforms, such as online, television, radio and print. The intimidation and bullying of journalists and cyber bullying of journalists is also experienced in KZN.
As an organisation, we will always speak out strongly against misinformation and disinformation, mostly used to paint our media houses in a negative light when it comes to news selection. Our media houses are sending out their journalists out daily, at the risk of violent attacks and contracting Covid-19, as they recognise the media’s role in our constitutional democracy.
While everyone is entitled to their views, we call on those perpetuating the inaccurate narrative that the media is ignoring the protests to desist, switch on their TV news, read reputational online and print news platforms, to see how wide the protests have been covered.
NB: SANEF has seen a letter by eNCA journalists complaining about censorship in their newsroom. We have contacted the news management at eNCA to request a meeting. While we await a response, news media should always strive to reflect the multiplicity of views within codes set out by the BCCSA and the Press Code.
Issued by Mahlatse Mahlase, Secretary General, SANEF, 12 July 2021
