The Star *ANC slates 'dishonest' editors* *Sibusiso Ngalwa, The Star, Johannesburg, 11 August 2010*The ANC has accused newspaper editors of being dishonest and failing to offer any argument to suggest how the ANC's proposed media appeals tribunal would be unconstitutional.
ANC national spokesman Jackson Mthembu told journalists and editors yesterday that editors were rejecting the idea without even offering and alternative to the tribunal.
The meeting, at Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, was part of the ANC's programme of interaction with the media in which it unpacks discussion documents to be debated at its mid-term policy review gathering, the national general council, next month.
"We haven't gone against the constitution... We have not curtailed the rights of the media... (and) we have no wish to do so," said Mthembu, adding that the tribunal was in fact intended to help the print media.
Mthembu heads the ANC's sub-committee on communications.He said the tribunal would assist in "curbing the excesses" of reporting and help the poor to get recourse against unfair reporting in the press.
This came after the majority of newspaper editors in the country last week signed the "Auckland Park Declaration", in which they expressed their opposition to the proposed tribunal and the Protection of Information Bill currently before Parliament.
"We, the editors of South Africa's major publications... are deeply concerned about attempts to curtail freedom of expression and the free flow of information in our country.
"We vigorously oppose the restrictive clauses in the Protection of Information Bill and the proposed media tribunal. We appeal to the South African government and the ruling ANC to abide by the founding principles of our democracy, and to abandon these proposed measures," the declaration said.
Editors and opposition parties have criticised the controversial bill, arguing that it would not only censor journalists but would also deprive the public of their right to know.
The bill would criminalise anyone in unlawful possession of a classified document and give senior bureaucrats and State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele powers to classify documents if in the "national interest".
Mthembu said editors had no cause for worry as the Constitutional Court was there to decide if the tribunal trampled on the constitution.
"That's why I talk of dishonesty... Up to now none of you have come up with an argument that (the tribunal) is unconstitutional.
"You can't enter an argument by saying 'stop the argument'," he said.The high-profile arrest of Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika last week fanned fezrs of a media clampdown.
*Transcribed by D Tweedie from the hard copy * *11 August 2010* -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
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