Sanef voice concern about journalist intimidation
South African National Editor’s Forum concerned about reports about intimidation and harassment of journalists covering #Feesmustfall protests.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is concerned about intimidation and harassment of journalists while covering the recent #Feesmustfall protests.
Sanef voiced its concerns after reports and video footages of intimidation and harassment across the country by both police and protesters went viral.
“In particular the police’s heavy-handed approach at the Union Buildings affected journalists from a number of media houses including EWN, Radio702, Daily Vox and BBC. Protestors injured eNCA and SABC reporters and some of this was captured on video,” said Sanef executive director Mathatha Tsedu.
Tsedu said some photographers were forced to delete photographs which they had already captured.
“We note with concern that some journalists, including a reporter from the BBC and an eNCA cameraman, were injured when rocks were thrown at police and journalists at the Union Buildings.
Equipment was damaged and there were also reports of theft,” he said.
He said that Sanef commends those students who intervened and forced their peers to return the equipment.
“We also note that at a student meeting yesterday [Friday], SABC journalists were ordered to leave, because of the public broadcaster’s alleged bias. A diverse media is the cornerstone of any democracy and journalists must be allowed to report without fear or favour,” Tsedu said.
“Coming at a time when we commemorate the events of Black Wednesday on 19 October 1977 and media freedom day, any attempt to violate the freedoms now entrenched in our Constitution, either by the authorities or members of the public, must be condemned with the contempt it deserves.”
Journalists who have been targeted over the past few days are urged by Sanef to bring the matter to its attention, so that Sanef can compile a comprehensive report and raise it directly with the police’s top officials and student leaders.
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