Editors met with a government delegation over the weekend, and resolved their engagement should be directed towards assisting the country’s continuing transition from apartheid to democracy.
A statement on Saturday from the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) said the engagement between the media and government should also contribute to “building national pride and self-belief, without stifling critical public debate”.
The government delegation was led by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and comprised a range of Cabinet members and deputy ministers.
The Sanef delegation was led by chairperson Mondli Makhanya and included senior editorial executives from the country’s main print and broadcast organisations.
Mail & Guardian editor-in-chief Nic Dawes said on Saturday the editors and the government delegation discussed a range of issues, but “it wasn’t a sniping match”.
He said the meeting had been one of “thoughtful discussion”.
No discussion of Bill
The proposed Protection of Information Bill was not raised during the meeting, minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said.
Speaking at a press briefing in Pretoria on Saturday, Chabane said: “We didn’t discuss any legislation. With regard to the Information Bill it was understood by all of us that the process was still on [ongoing].”
Sanef chairperson Mondli Makhanya said that delegates at the meeting received a briefing from the deputy press ombudsman Johan Retief on the new press code which came into force a fortnight ago.
He said the meeting was also briefed by the Press Freedom Commission’s project director Mathatha Tsedu.
The Press Freedom Commission is investigating ways in which media regulation functions around the world.
The meeting — the sixth high-level consultation between the parties since 2001 — was held at the Velmore Hotel and Conference Centre west of Pretoria.
“The meeting allowed government and editors to discuss the expectations they have of one another in the context the Constitutional provisions on freedom of expression and the rights of all South Africans to receive and impart information,” said the Sanef statement.