Appeals Panel calls for proper documentation on Media Appeals Tribunal
PARKTOWN – Judge Ngoepe emphasised that journalists and editors have to take on board the criticism that comes their way.
Chairperson of Appeals Panel from the South African Press Council Judge Bernard Ngoepe insisted that the ANC publish a formal document that can be used for public discussion on its stance on press regulation.
Judge Ngoepe addressed the media on 23 October at Emoyeni Conference Centre in Parktown. He highlighted the recent work of the panel and its activities in the context of discussions around a Media Appeals Tribunal.
“I believe it is in the public interest that the governing party provides more detail about its intentions. Since 2007, its conference resolutions have referred to the need for a parliamentary investigation of the desirability of what it calls a Media Appeals Tribunal (MAT),” he said.
He further explained that there was no detail, discussion paper, framework and motivation that the ANC provided about its intentions.
“We need to understand more about the governing party’s intentions, so that we can begin the public conversation. This is not just a matter that affects the ANC or the newspaper industry: it affects all South Africans, and we need to know more about what is intended,” he emphasised.
He further explained that there was a need to understand and exhaust whatever channels available before rejecting or replacing the existing mechanism.
According to him, the current system of self-regulation, with increased public participation, was working and the public should intensify its work in the interest of entrenching freedom of expression and holding journalists accountable.
“Journalists and editors should work constantly to ensure accuracy, fairness and adherence to the Press Code. They should focus – more than ever before – on training, fact-checking and improving the quality of journalism,” he concluded.
South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) executive director Mathatha Tsedu explained that they would like to see the basis of the discussion of MAT if there was going to be a discussion in Parliament.
“The call for a concise document is necessary for us to be able to engage in this issue, but I think we should prepare ourselves to go to Parliament and fight the battle there. The ANC has a resolution from its national conference that they must go to Parliament,” he concluded.
Details: South African Press Council 0114843612.
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