Sanef calls on government to protect media freedom
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has called on governments across the continent to protect and defend media freedom.
Monday marks World Press Freedom Day.
Sanef says the increasing number of attacks on journalists are of great concern.
"In 2021 journalists are facing increased attacks, including imprisonment, torture, and murder. In South Africa journalists are attacked by criminals, are harassed by cyberbullies online, receive death threats and- women journalists especially - are often targeted by party political supporters," it said in a statement.
"Over the past 25 years, Sanef has championed media freedom and fought to ensure that journalists are safe and protected while speaking truth to power. Added to the stranglehold of daily attacks and intimidation, our journalists (along with all frontline workers) brave the threat of Covid-19 infections and risk to their health in their efforts to bring us the truth."
It believes all South Africans have the right to a free press.
"In South Africa, media freedom is enshrined and protected in our Constitution. It is the right of every citizen to protect media freedom and freedom of expression. If media freedom is threatened, our democracy suffers.”
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