POLOKWANE- The Limpopo Journalist Forum was launched at Sun Meropa’s conference hall on Thursday.
Journalists from various media houses around the province gathered to speak in one voice and support each other.
The chairperson of the forum, Matodzi Makananisa, said the core function of the forum is to rally journalists under the umbrella of the forum and engage relevant industry role players to improve conditions for journalists.
“I know that journalists are quick to write stories about everything that is anything, including HIV and Aids. Yet, some of the journalists here do not even know their own HIV status. I will be failing in my leadership if I did not urge you to know your status.
“While you are at it, please learn more about this pandemic so that you write from an informed position. Let’s not mislead our nation,” he said.
The forum is to create a platform that will address journalist’s challenges.
One of these challenges was the fact that many journalists can’t afford life insurance, or even a funeral policy. With this in mind, Old Mutual came on board to help. Tlou Keetse, Old Mutual general manager in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, said a financial plan is important for everyone to have.
“You must know that your family will be taken care of in case of death and you must always protect you income,” he said.
Kgaogelo Magolego from the Communication Workers Union said: “Journalists of this generation should fight the perception of journalists not wanting mone.
“We all want money; that is the reason we work. We can’t have poor journalists who can’t even afford to earn a decent living for themselves,” he explained.
Well-known journalist Piet Rampedi, from the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) spoke about the role of such forums. “The ethics of journalism must be observed at all costs. Don’t take bribes, be loyal as a journalist and not biased. Always have facts when you report a story, perform your duty as a journalist,” he highlighted.
Representing the premier, Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC, Jerry Ndou, adressed journalists and said the Office of the Premier supports the initiative, which came at the right time.
“This forum was long overdue. It came during an important period in the media industry where there is a debate going on about the role of media in the country and the issue of media and diversity,” he said.
