Editors decide to fight moves to muzzle media

Any attempt by the government to control the media would be opposed, the SA National Editors' Forum has said. In a statement on Sunday, Sanef reiterated its firm opposition to any attempt by the government to control the media, such as the statutory media tribunal proposed by the ANC. The decision was taken at Sanef's annual general meeting in Joburg. "The industry's editorial self-regulatory system, the Press Council with its Press Ombudsman and Appeals Panel, dealt effectively with public complaints in the way similar institutions acted in 60 democracies throughout the world," Sanef said.

Any control would restrict media freedom and contravene the freedom of expression rights in the constitution. The forum also expressed concerns about unsubstantiated complaints by senior ANC members about the Press Council, as well as attempts to discredit the judiciary.

It deplored the increasing attempts by the government to exercise control over the media through legislation such as the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, the Protection of Information Bill and the National Key Points Act.

Source: IoL