BARBERTON – On Saturday the media celebrated World Press Freedom Day, but on Tuesday this reporter she was told by an ANC party agent, whose name is known to this publication, that media were not allowed cover the special votes at Bobs Centre.
She was quoted by this publication saying: “Utofunani la! Media are not allowed to be part of this special vote.
Don’t even take photos.”
Even though this reporter tried to explain about the code of conduct of journalists that the IEC stated clearly during a media workshop that was held at the Protea Hotel last month, the party agent didn’t want to cooperate.
During the incident, Mpumalanga News learnt that other opposition party agents such as the DA, didn’t have a problem with the media as it understand that the role of the media is to keep people informed .
After experiencing this drama, this publication contacted the provincial spokesperson of the IEC, Mr Sibusiso Nkosi. He said,
“We’d like to condemn such behaviour. The role of party agents is to monitor, if they have a problem or don’t understand something, they must report to the presiding officer. If journalists experience challenges, they must report to our head office so that we can try to solve the problem that they are facing.”
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