OWN CORESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 5.30pm.
THE editors of the Cape Argus and its sister paper the Cape Times were on Monday subpoenaed to appear before the Human Rights Commission as part of its investigation into alleged racism in the South African media.
Subpoenas have already been served on the editors of the Sunday Times and the Mail and Guardian newspapers. None of the subpoenas have cited specific violations.
Cape Argus acting editor Chris Whitfield said the newspaper would consider its response to the subpoena later on Monday.
The SA Freelancers Association, representing some 400 journalists in the print, electronic and photographic media nationwide earlier on Monday urged the Human Rights Commission to reconsider its stance in subpoenaing the editors, and asking others to explain their editorial decisions.
This follows the serving of subpoenas on the editors of the Mail & Guardian and the Sunday Times, who have been summonsed to respond to allegations of racism. The editors could face fines or six months in prison if they ignore the summons. SAFREA says it believes the editors concerned should consider going to jail. “Not even the apartheid government resorted to such overt intimidation of the media. This makes a mockery of our constitution,” a statement from the association said on Monday.