Criticism of the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) by home affairs portfolio committee chairperson Patrick Chauke earlier this week was ”uninformed”, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-SA) and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) said on Friday.
In a joint statement, the two organisations referred to Chauke’s criticism of editors for talking to Cabinet about the Film and Publications Amendment Bill.
”On October 17, Chauke sharply criticised editors for talking to Cabinet about the Bill when it was before Parliament and thus, he said, in effect passing a motion of no confidence in the parliamentary process.
”Misa-SA and the FXI object to Chauke’s strictures as being uninformed and a distortion of what occurred.”
Earlier this year, when it was realised an August 10 deadline had been set for public comment on the Bill, Misa-SA had sent a message to Chauke requesting a fortnight’s extension of time for making submissions. In addition, Misa-SA, the FXI and Sanef had made representations to his committee outlining objections to the Bill.
However, it was learned the Bill was being presented to Cabinet for onward transmission to Parliament.
Misa-SA and the FXI then sent a message to President Thabo Mbeki asking him to delay the passage of the Bill to Parliament so there could be comprehensive consultation between the media and the Department of Home Affairs.
”Misa-SA and the FXI emphasise that this approach to the Cabinet was before the Bill was submitted to Parliament by the Cabinet.
”Subsequently, the home affairs ministry and, later, the Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, invited Sanef for discussions about the Bill, and the Cabinet then took the decision to delay the Bill [to 2007] for proper consultation,” the statement said. — Sapa