On 7 July, the Print Media of South Africa and the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) launched the Press Freedom Commission (PFC) “to ensure press freedom in support of enhancing our democracy which is founded on human dignity, equality and freedom’. The PFC will explore structures of self-regulation within the print media.
Former South African Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Pius Langa, will chair the commission accompanied by representatives from business, organised labour, academic and the legal fraternity.
The establishment of the commission follows the ruling ANC party’s push for a Media Appeals Tribunal and for the controversial Protection of Information Bill, both of which are seen by the public, civil society organisations and opposition parties as threats to media freedom.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) attended the launch in Johannesburg. “FEDUSA has on numerous occasions stressed the importance of the right to freedom of expression and most recently slammed parliamentary proposals around the Protection of Information Bill. Self-regulation within print media could positively improve the quality of journalism circulated, however FEDUSA believes the right to the freedom of expression must be safeguarded and looks forward to reading the report the PFC is scheduled to bring out in March next year,’ commented FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.
PFC aims, over the next eight months, to produce “The South African Press Freedom Report’.
Meanwhile, Mail & Guardian reports that the ANC has critised the PFC, saying its formation will not result in the reforms required for the South African media. The ANC maintains that the PFC is already flawed as it focuses only on self-regulation.
