The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN), acting on behalf of its alumni membership, hereby condemns the continued irresponsible journalism practices perpetrated by the Daily Sun, a publication within the Media 24 Naspers Group.

The Network is perturbed at the downright gutter reporting, lies and exaggerated stories of witchcraft, that are continually peddled to 4 million South Africans, majority of whom are from poor social backgrounds.

Whilst poor communities utilize their last pennies R2.50c to purchase the publication with an expectation of receiving quality responsible journalism, readers are confronted by impossible stories of "evil" animals, "zombies", "tokoloshies", unbridled sex terms and love triangles as well as unashamedly graphic pictures of violent murders, mob lynching as well as xenophobic reporting.

It is the opinion of the Network that the Daily Sun's irresponsible reporting propagates barbaric conduct amongst poor communities and propagates continued superstition and witchcraft beliefs by poor communities against women, the elderly, violence against African immigrants, animal cruelty whilst legitimizing mob justice and preying on impoverished communities' frustrations and fears.

It becomes clear that the Press Ombudsman's regulatory function has been ineffectual given that Daily Sun has received several penalties over the past years.

We urge the Naspers Group as a responsible corporate citizen to ensure compliance with responsible journalistic practices by its reporting staff employed by Daily Sun failing which reporting the Network will initiate legal proceedings against the group and its subsidiary for propagating lies, witchcraft and dogma amongst poor communities.

Statement issued by Sethole Reginald Legoabe Executive Director Higher Education Transformation Network, January 16 2014

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