CEDRIC MBOYISA

JOHANNESBURG - The ANC has been slammed for using the shocking revelations of “brown envelope” journalism as justification for its widely-opposed media tribunal proposal.

“ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s contention that a media tribunal is required to deal with the ‘dearth of media ethics’ in South Africa runs contrary to the constitutionally-enshrined principle of media freedom which Mr Mantashe also claims to champion,” said Democratic Alliance MP Lindiwe Mazibuko yesterday.

The media is in the firing line after allegations of corruption and impropriety surfaced last week. Former Cape Argus political journalist Ashley Smith claimed he and the paper’s then political editor were bribed to write favourable articles on former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool. Rasool, the country’s ambassador-designate to the US, has denied the allegations.

President Jacob Zuma has been urged to withdraw Rasool’s appointment until a thorough investigation is conducted on the matter.

Said Mazibuko: “The ANC’s proposal of a media tribunal – and Mr Mantashe’s contention that he does not ‘think the media can call on one of its own to adjudicate concerning them’ – implies that the ANC favours an interventionist approach.”