SANEF members from the print media subscribe to the South African Press Code which requires that news be truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we fail to live up to the Code please contact the Press Ombudsman at: Tel: 011 484 3612 / 8 Fax: 011 484 3619 Website: www.presscouncil.org.za E-mail addresses: ombudsman@presscouncil khanyim@ombudsman

SANEF Chairperson, Jovial Rantao’s Presentation to the SAHRC
March 5, 2008

Sanef is an organisation of media leaders – editors in print, radio, television and magazines, plus senior academics and newsroom leaders. It is an organisation that arose out of our country’s past. It is an organisation that came about after black and white editors (the Black Editors Forum and the Conference of Editors) united in a common purpose – 12 years ago.

The forum was founded on the belief and understanding that:

* Public and media scrutiny of the exercise of political and economic power is essential; *The law related to the operation of the media should be consistent with South Africa’s Constitution and Bill of Rights in its protection of freedom of expression and of the media ;

* Journalists and media owners have a duty to work to the highest professional standards and ethics;

* Journalists and media educators embrace a learning culture by committing themselves to ongoing education and training.

So does everyone within Sanef agree on everything? Definitely not but we attempt to seek a common understanding on most issues

Focus: In attempting to unpack the question of the legal historical disadvantages against black journalists we have to focus on three things:

Challenges/disadvantages: The next is to examine how black journalists themselves fare in our current media make-up. Are they marginalised within our news organisations? And, if so, who are they marginalised by and why? Are the disadvantages faced by black journalists cultural or structural? Is it about language? Are there barriers of entry for black journalists at all levels of our newsrooms? Is training an issue?
Is it about ownership? Is it about black journalists’ voices not being heard? Is it about a lack of transformation? Is it about a lack of experience? Is it about poor leadership? Is it about white editors and journalists not understanding? Or is it simply about race? Are these legitimate issues or perceptions?

Who must fix it? So, if the problem or problems exist, who is responsible for fixing it? Is it the sole responsibility of the black journalist or is it the responsibility of the industry as a whole or is it the leadership?

On the question of leadership we must first begin by asking who leads the media in SA? One needs to look no further than the make-up of Sanef to realise that the leadership of the SA news and media industry is certainly in the hands of black journalists and by black I mean – African, Indian and Coloured. Added to this, most of secondline structures in the newsrooms are also made up of senior black journalists? We have several key print publications and broadcasters that are led totally by a black leadership.

Overall black journalists are seen to be part of a collective – a whole other – especially when we look into the make-up of the newsroom. The overriding factor then that takes the discussion away from the issue of “black” is that white editors and journalists – are also part of this collective.

What happens outside the newsroom? So what about outside the organisation or newsroom? Everyone in the media agrees that journalists have a right to organise themselves? But how journalists organise themselves is what is being debated here? Do we have white journalist forums for white journalists and black journalist forums for black journalists? Are black journalists issues different to white journalists’ issues?
Or are there common bonds between black and white journalists? Are such formations in keeping with the laws of this country? Is the argument against the formation of a racially based organisation for journalists unconstitutional?

Conclusion: Whatever the outcome we have to make certain that the precedent we set as journalists - black or white - is done in a manner that upholds the dignity and profession of our industry. The decisions we make as journalists today determine the kind of environment we report in tomorrow. As journalists we believe in an open, transparent and accountable administration and society. Is it then not fitting then that as journalists we also make sure that our conduct within our own administrations and journalistic entities are in keeping with such beliefs?

Sanef response: Sanef is willing to engage with any organisation that is serious about the success of our media industry. We also believe in self introspection and consistently question our own actions as an organisation and membership.

Prepared by: Mary Papayya