News

Editors reject proposed legislation

July 26, 2010 Edition 2

THE SA National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has strongly rejected renewed proposals for a state-appointed media tribunal and a growing slate of new legislation that is "hostile" to the free flow of information to South Africans.

"Sanef points out that the proposed tribunal would go against the existing system of self-regulation, which involves the media and members of the public, and would be unconstitutional," it said in a statement after its annual general meeting in Joburg at the weekend.

The forum expressed its support for the Press Council Code of Conduct and encouraged editors to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any violations.

The proposed tribunal concept was debated at the ANC's Polokwane conference and would be tabled at the party's national general council in September.

Sanef resolved to work with other like-minded groups in a campaign for public support for media freedom.

The Press Council and Press Ombudsman system, "deals effectively with public complaints", Sanef said.

The forum resolved to continue efforts to increase public knowledge of the system and to improve citizens' access to it.

Delivering his keynote address on Saturday night at the meeting, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe said the government was finalising proposals on a section of the Criminal Procedure Act that could force journalists to reveal confidential sources.

But he said the government would not undermine the|constitution when it enacted laws.

"We will not enact any laws detrimental to your cause… |I will ensure that any law |that comes into being must |be in conformity with our constitution."

Radebe emphasised that the ANC government would not treat the media in the manner they were treated during the apartheid years. "As a minister of justice I want to assure you that any (new) law must be in conformity with the constitution," he said, referring to the media freedom clauses in the founding document.

Radebe said the ANC had been deliberating on various issues in preparation for its national general council meeting in Durban soon.

He expected the ANC to announce various decisions and proposals by next Wednesday .

"One of these is that of information communication technology and the media."

Radebe was also speaking amid growing media concern at the ANC's proposed introduction of a state-appointed media appeal tribunal to adjudicate complaints against the press, as well as the restriction of access protection bill.

Referring to ongoing discussion of Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act and other relevant sections affecting journalists, Radebe said: "We are in the process of finalising proposals in this regard."

The SA Law Commission would also present its finding after research on this and other laws that the media found problematic.