Africa-Press – South-Africa. The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has called for better treatment of journalists who report on court matters, saying that it has been “inundated with complaints from journalists” who are “finding it increasingly hard to do their jobs”.
On Friday, journalists were denied access to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court to cover the appearance of an alleged Israeli gang member.
According to Sanef, there have been several similar incidents, including one involving a Sowetan journalist who was forced to take the stand in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court after she asked for permission to take pictures of an accused.
News24 also previously reported that the media was denied entry to a courtroom in May for the corruption trial of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede.
The issue was discussed at Sanef’s council meeting over the weekend.
“While some of these concerns have been previously raised with organisations such as the Magistrate’s Commission and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, we take a dim view of these very worrying incidents that counteract access to information and freedom of expression,” Sanef said.
At the council meeting, it was resolved to invest in more training for court reporters after the media was kicked out of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial last week for showing a State witness’ face on camera.
Sanef said the council resolved to establish a portal where journalists can “access effective and urgent assistance when they are intimidated, attacked and/or threatened when doing their job”.
It has also already started work with the Democracy Works Foundation towards the establishment of an ethics barometer.
This was one of the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility that Sanef commissioned in 2020.
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