The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) condemns threats made against Sunday
Times journalist, Qaanitah Hunter. Hunter together with Jeff Wicks
wrote a front-page story yesterday claiming there were plans afoot by
ex-President Zuma and his allies to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa and
these were discussed at a meeting in Durban last week. The Sunday Times published pictures showing that Zuma was in fact in Durban at that time.
Various
ANC structures, including the ANC Women’s League, immediately released
statements condemning the article arguing that it was false, damaging
and aimed to specifically discredit the ANC in the lead up to the 2019
elections. The ANC denied the meeting even took place and asked for the
withdrawal of the article.
SANEF
believes that the ANC, and its various structures, obviously, have the
right to criticize the media, point out inaccuracies and lay formal
complaints with bodies such as the Press Council. However, we believe it
is problematic when particular journalists are attacked on a personal
level. The ANC Women’s League states in their press statement, “It is
also not surprising that Qaanitah is part of such lies. It seems she
always believes figment (sic) of her imagination and she is becoming an
embodiment of gutter journalism”. But more serious than this are direct
threats to journalists lives.
Hunter
has alerted the public to the fact that she was sent threatening
messages from the Secretary General of the ANC Women’s League, Meokgo
Matuba, who sent a picture of a gun to Hunter’s cellphone. When asked if
the picture was meant for her, Matuba responded by saying she doesn’t
know who sent it as she shares a phone with many people. Hunter received
this threat after calling Matuba with questions about the Zuma meeting.
SANEF
strongly condemns what is a clear threat to this journalist despite the
later apology. We believe these threats have a chilling effect on
freedom of expression and access to information. This behaviour is
particularly worrying in the lead up to our critical national elections
in 2019. We call on the ANC and all political parties to use the correct
channels for complaints and to specifically protect journalists and
journalism - we believe that this is essential to the safeguarding of
the health of our democracy.
Issued by SANEF
Tweet us @GoXtraNews #GoXtraNews or contact our editor Buchule Raba editor@goxtranews.com to send us your stories or request interviews.
Issued by SANEF
Tweet us @GoXtraNews #GoXtraNews or contact our editor Buchule Raba editor@goxtranews.com to send us your stories or request interviews.
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