/ 25 February 2011

Sowetan reporter back on DA mailing list

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday reversed its decision to remove Sowetan journalist Anna Majavu from the party’s mailing list.

The DA took the decision after a meeting with Avusa’s editor-in-chief, Mondli Makhanya, party spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko said in a statement.

“We discussed the circumstances surrounding the DA’s decision to remove Sowetan reporter, Anna Majavu’s address from the party’s e-mail distribution list, as well as the DA’s concerns with regard to the Sowetan‘s reports on the party and its representatives.

“Following this discussion, it was decided that the concerns raised by the DA would receive the attention of Avusa’s senior management team, and that the DA would put Anna Majavu’s e-mail address back on the party’s distribution list.”

Makhanya, who is also the chairperson of the South African National Editor’s Forum (Sanef) could not be reached for comment by the South African Press Association immediately.

Sanef had condemned the DA’s blacklisting of Majavu as a betrayal of the party’s liberal values, including media freedom.

The DA blacklisted Majavu, a former spokesperson for the South African Municipal Workers Union, in August last year on the grounds that she had “a political agenda”. — Sapa