Minister questions journalists attitude during SONA

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini questioned the acts of journalists during the opening of Parliament.

A group of journalists covering President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address on Thursday, started chanting "Bring back the signal" after a jamming device was found within the Chamber, blocking all cellphone signal.

 

Dlamini said journalists undermined parliament when they started to chant.

 

"They could have gone outside, but they chose to engage inside and chanted in a way that aligned themselves to other political parties" she said.

 

She says media houses should reflect on wether the actions of journalists were acceptable.

 

"If we are serious about protecting our democracy and the institution of parliament we must be aware of our own actions. Maybe this gave us the opportunity of reflecting" she said.

 

Listen to Minister Dlamini's explanation here:

 

Dlamini also took to Twitter to condemn the actions of journalists:

 

Cabinet Ministers termed the loss of cellphone signal in the National Assembly during the opening of Parliament a "technical glitch".

 

"I will call it a technical glitch until there is a full investigation called upon by the presidency and Parliament to say we need to all know what happened, and then call it by its rightful name," International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said.