SANEF concerned about the ongoing escalation in death threats and harassment of journalists on social media
28 January 2020
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply concerned by the increasing trend of death threats and social media harassment of journalists by right-wing groups and their supporters.
SANEF notes that such harassment against journalists by certain right-wing linked elements and groups in the country is a bid to silence them or stop them from investigating their activities.
SANEF wishes to caution against the threats of any nature and crimes against the media that continue with impunity.
These fuels and perpetuates a cycle of violence. Consequently, the self-censorship deprives society of information and further affects press freedom. It also directly impacts the United Nations human rights-based efforts to promote peace, security, and sustainable development.