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INDABA Newsletter | January 2011

Networking forum

Thank you to Unisa for hosting the club’s networking forum on 27 January, at the university’s newly opened entrance building, Kgorong. Prof Mandla Makhanya, the newly appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor, in addressing guests said the media was a very important stakeholder of the university. Unisa had a policy of always being open and accessible to the media.

As always, Unisa’s hospitality was great and it was a most informative evening. Thanks also to Unisa for the gifts that each member received.

February’s networking forum will be hosted at 18:00 for 18:30 on the 24th, by the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority at their offices in Centurion. Members will receive exact details and a map on e-mail. Please diarise it!

From left – Doreen Gough (manager: media affairs, Unisa and exco member), Jos Charle (deputy chairperson of the press club), Phumudzo Ratshinanga (Communication Students Association) and Prof Mandla Makhanya (Principal and Vice-Chancellor: Unisa).

SABC – time has come to appoint a commission of enquiry

The National Press Club has called on government to appoint a fully-fledged commission of enquiry to investigate the SABC as a matter of urgency.

This follows a scalding South Gauteng High Court judgment recently, in which former SABC News head, Snuki Zikalala has been accused of manipulating coverage with a political motive and of effective pre-censorship.

The ruling found that the embattled public broadcaster violated its license conditions through Zikalala�s acts and was also guilty of �a dishonest attempt to cover up the situation.� The judgment also accuses Zikalala of �unlawfully manipulating� news items on Zimbabwe�s 2005 elections and blacklisting certain commentators to silence critical voices.

The press club says the rot has plagued the SABC for far too long and it believes the latest allegations are only the tip of the iceberg.

Press club chairman Yusuf Abramjee, said the judgment was of �serious concern� and needed to be fully investigated. �We applaud the court for ordering the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa to reopen its investigation into alleged political interference at the SABC, after an appeal by the Freedom of Expression Institute, but we need more. We now need government to appoint a Commission of Enquiry.

�The South African public needs answers and rightfully demands an honest, clean and transparent public broadcaster. The situation at the SABC remains a concern as the ructions at Auckland Park continue. The good, bad and ugly � both past and present � needs to be laid on the table once and for all.�

Abramjee said if this does not happen, the public broadcaster would continue to be bogged down by ongoing allegations and denials.

He said current and former employees need to come forward and play open cards, adding that it was also necessary for Zikalala to come out publicly and respond to the court�s decision.

�We expect him to be honest and open. While there are many hard working, committed and efficient SABC staffers, the corporation must get rid of the rotten apples once and for all, as it is vital for the public broadcaster to cover news accurately, fairly, balanced and objectively. We need media freedom and transparency.

Abramjee said the SABC was an important platform with powerful mediums, but it continues to deteriorate at the expense of the South African public. �They need credible editors and journalists and not people with political baggage. It�s time for a total cleanup.�

The exco held lekgotla

The press club exco held its annual lekgotla at The Soweto Hotel at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication – also known as Freedom Square – on 29 January. The square is a National Heritage Site dedicated to the memory of the Freedom Charter of 26 June 1955. Thank you to General Manager Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo and her team for hosting the meeting, which was held in the Winnie Mandela boardroom.

Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, General Manager of The Soweto Hotel (second from right, back row) with the press club exco following its annual lekgotla. Chairperson Yusuf Abramjee had just left for another meeting.
Successful deliberations – from left, exco member Ben Rootman, chairperson Yusuf Abramjee and deputy chairperson Jos Charle.

The exco planned the club’s activities for the year, many of which will be announced soon (including the name of the 2010 Newsmaker of the Year).

It also decided on an increase in membership fees, after fees stayed the same for the past four years. The new annual fees are:

  • Full members – R180
  • Associate members – R250
  • Student members – R120

The invoices for 2011 will reach members soon. Members should please use their invoice numbers as reference when making an electronic transfer, so that the secretariat can keep track of payments received.

Welcome to new club members

The National Press Club welcomes the following new members and looks forward to seeing them at a club event soon: Annalise Kempen – SARP Publishers, Lesego Teffu – University of Pretoria, Carolina van der Spuy – freelance journalist, Kirosha Naicker – University of South Africa, Liana Prinsloo – Life Healthcare Carstenhof Clinic and Dineo Thapelo of the North West Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

Member news

The press club was sad to hear about the passing of former member and veteran public relations practitioner Kosie Venter (80) on 20 December. Marnus Roothman represented the club at Kosie’s funeral – thank you Marnus.

Exco member Tanya de Vente-Bijker had an emergency appendix operation recently – we are glad to see that you have recovered, Tanya!

Press club member Hanti Otto has left the Pretoria News after many years and has moved across to Beeld. We wish you all the best in your new position, Hanti!

Feedback

Please send any news, suggestions or information for this newsletter to Martin van Niekerk at the secretariat on martin@junxionpr.co.za,
+27 (0)12 804 5199. Visit the website at www.nationalpressclub.co.za.

Shock at ruling against Independent Newspapers

PRETORIA- The National Press Club has expressed its shock at a North Gauteng High Court ruling which interdicted Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd “from publishing any information of any individual” within the Division: Crime Intelligence of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The Minister of Police, National Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner of Crime Intelligence brought an urgent application before the court on Friday evening to stop the Sunday Independent from publishing any information about appointments and to return documents in possession of the newspaper.

It is believed that the newspaper wanted to expose alleged nepotism within Crime Intelligence. Last week, the paper published a series of allegations. The urgent hearing was set for 8pm this evening. Legal counsel for Independent Newspapers apparently informed the State Advocates that they were running late from Johannesburg because of traffic. Shortly before 9am, Judge Ephriam Makgoba decided to continue with the hearing, in the absence of the respondent’s legal team. Within minutes, the judge made a ruling in favour of the applicants. Judge Makgoba ordered Independent Newspapers from “publishing or causing to published any information pertaining to the advertisement and appointment of any individual within the Division: Crime Intelligence.” The respondents were also ordered to immediately hand over any information or documentation about appointments to the SAPS. If they failed to comply, the Sheriff of the Court was ordered to seize the information and/or documentation and hand it over to Crime Intelligence. The newspaper was ordered to pay the costs of two counsels. Chairperson of the National Press Club, Yusuf Abramjee, said: “We are shocked. The ruling came as a surprise and without legal argument by both parties.

“This is a travesty of justice. There may be a technical point here because the respondent’s legal counsel was not on time. But, that’s not good enough. The case should have been argued on its merits. “The newspaper wanted to report on alleged nepotism. Now, they have been barred from doing so. The public has a right to know and the ruling is a smack in the face for media freedom and free speech,” said Abramjee. “The application and the ruling also reflect negatively on the SAPS. What have they got to hide? “ said Abramjee. “We have been told that the matter will be taken on appeal by the Sunday Independent to higher courts. They need to fight this ruling and have it overthrown. Public interest must be served,” he added. “The media must be the watchdogs. Any attempts to silence us must be opposed, “the statement said.

Enquiries: Yusuf Abramjee – cell 082 4414 203

National Press Club – Stand up for media freedom

The National Press Club says South Africans must ensure that government upholds the principles of free speech and media freedom. Any laws that infringe on these rights need to be strongly opposed. In a statement marking Media Freedom Day, the press club said that in line with the constitution, it was “vital for our democracy to ensure that rights of the media are not trampled upon.” On 19 October 1977 the newspapers The World and Weekend World as well as several black consciousness organisations were banned. Editor Percy Qoboza was arrested and jailed together with other journalists. The day became known as “Black Wednesday.”

“This year the day is even more relevant as it comes amid intense discussion and debate around media freedom, sparked by the proposed Protection of Information Bill and Media Appeals Tribunal,” says Yusuf Abramjee, chairperson of the National Press Club Abramjee says it is important that the media industry in South Africa should honour this day, especially now that media freedom is in the spotlight. “The press club welcomes the announcement by the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe at the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and government meeting over the weekend. He said that the print media will be given time to address its shortcomings – referring to the proposed media tribunal,” says Abramjee. Abramjee says it was heartening to hear Motlanthe saying that government remained fully committed to the constitution. “He told the meeting that the government has no intention of doing anything whatsoever that may undermine freedom of expression and freedom of the media to function effectively. He added that Parliament will not pass any laws which go against the constitution,” says Abramjee. He says whilst the media has to be independent, expose wrongdoing, highlight the good and the bad, it must continue to find concrete and practical ways of creating a better South Africa.

“As we celebrate Media Freedom Day, let’s celebrate our achievements since the dawn of democracy and reaffirm the need for free speech. Any move by government to curtail our freedoms will be fought vigorously and we must stand up for what’s right,” says Abramjee. The press club calls on the media fraternity to support all the different actions planned for the week, such as the Right2Know Campaign’s Week of Action from 19 until 27 October. (Ends)

Enquiries: Yusuf Abramjee, tel 082 441 4203 National Press Club, tel 012 804 5199

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National and global players now accept that the club has made itself relevant, not only in Gauteng but also nationally. News contributors know that they have a fair deal, even when criticised. In this way, the National Press Club has created a news communication platform of first choice with the relevance being transparency at all costs.

Contact us: secretariat@nationalpressclub.co.za

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