Media can use your social media updates

Imagine opening your local newspaper and seeing your tweets printed on one of the pages. You may let it slide or maybe be disappointed that information from your personal social media account was posted without your knowledge. The thought of suing the news organisation might be your first thought. However, do you have a case?

The South African Press Code states that in both news and comment, the press shall exercise exceptional care and consideration in matters involving the private lives and concerns of individuals, however, any right to privacy may be overridden only by a legitimate public interest.

When reporting news, media organisations often use social media for leads and sharing stories with their readers.

“Some readers don’t know that when they post certain information on social media we can use it in our news articles. I have had people call to complain that we used their tweets, Facebook comments or images we found on their social media activities. And it is always difficult to explain that the law allows us to do this, as long as we credit the source,” said Caxton Joburg Northwest news editor Lesego Maja.

Joe Thloloe, director of the Press Council of South Africa agreed with Maja saying, “When information is in the public space, the media can use it as long as they acknowledge where the information comes from.”

Thloloe, however, said media should always abide by the Press Code of Conduct otherwise they may be held liable.

“Media must be careful not to use information that is defamatory, that is not accurate or fair. They must always abide to the Code of Conduct set out by the South African Press Council,” cautioned Thloloe.

According to the director, if information is sent to social media, it is no longer private.

“If you put it in the public space, then you don’t mind the whole world seeing it,” he said.

Read a summary of the Press Code here.

Details: Press Council of South Africa 011 484 3612 / 8.