Attempts to control media mount - Sanef

There are increasing attempts to control media via legislation, said Durban-based journalist Mary Papayya, who was recently re-elected secretary-general of the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef). Papayya, who will serve her third term in the position at Sanef, said the press needed to be more wary about developments such as the media tribunal. "We need to be wary of how political control encroaches on reporting," she said.

Papayya said if there was to be control, the first thing to come under pressure would be the press. "We are worried about political pressure by any party," she said. Here she referred to the media appeals tribunal touted by the government.

The tribunal has been proposed by the ANC, under which print media would be held accountable to parliament. Media institutions said the tribunal threatened the right to press freedom as well as the individual's rights to free expression. "The tribunal is not necessary, as we have an appeals panel and are self regulated. It threatens press freedom and contradicts the Constitution," she said. Papayya said Sanef had noted with concern the arrests of journalists and photographers, but attributed this to "lack of knowledge" by police.

In February, Durban journalist Mhlaba Memela, of the Sowetan newspaper, was arrested by a Metro police officer while taking pictures at an accident scene. Although his case was later dropped, Memela was charged with failing to comply with police instructions, resisting arrest and inciting a crowd.

In September last year, Daily News photographer Puri Devjee, who was at a crime scene, was arrested by a police officer from the collision unit. Devjee was handcuffed and taken to Berea Police Station, but later released on a warning. "Journalists have been unlawfully arrested and Sanef has called for a meeting with the SAPS as a joint initiative to resolve the problems," Papayya said. "We have the systems in place and it just needs to be made use of, because if there are contraventions there will be dire consequences," she said.

Papayya is a former editor, news editor, executive producer and bureau chief. Since 1987, she has worked across a range of media and is also a news trainer and consultant. She is the longest serving secretary-general in Sanef to date. She has served on the Sanef council since its inception in 1996.

Source: IoL