Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe met with leadership of the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) on Friday ahead of discussions over the media, the presidency said.
“The meeting formed part of government’s efforts to strengthen relations with the media, with particular focus on opening channels of communication on matters of mutual interest between the two parties, for example the Protection of Information Bill,” the presidency said in as statement.
The meeting was a preparatory one, ahead of further talks to be held in October.
Sanef has recently been critical of government over the Bill and plans by the ANC to implement a statutory media appeals tribunal.
Motlanthe said government was not targeting the press.
“It is not the intention of government to undermine the pillars of our democracy,” he said in the statement.
Mondli Makhanya, Sanef chairperson, said in the statement that his organisation welcomed the exchange with government. – Sapa