ANC'S media tribunal: Let the free media regulate itself

ANC Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe's contention that a media tribunal is required to deal with the so-called "dearth of media ethics" in South Africa runs entirely contrary to the constitutionally-enshrined principle of media freedom which Mr Mantashe also claims to champion (see Business Day report).

If, by "dearth in media ethics" he is referring to episodes such as the scandalous and shameful practice of "brown envelope journalism" - the most recent example of which is the allegation by former Cape Argus reporter Ashley Smith that he was paid by former-Premier, Ebrahim Rasool to produce favourable copy about Rasool to help him fight his political battles within the Western Cape ANC - then Mr Mantashe's concern is valid and it is indeed crucial that measures to prevent this kind of decay are strengthened.

Those measures, however, should not be spearheaded and/or run by the government, since this involvement in itself would constitute a breach of the media freedom articulated in the Constitution.  The ANC's proposal of a media tribunal - and Mr Mantashe's contention that he does not "...think that the media can call on one of its (sic) own to adjudicate matters concerning them" - implies that the ANC favours an interventionist approach.

Unfortunately, the ANC's concerns in this regard have little to do with strengthening the 4th estate, and everything to do with exerting control over how the media portray the new, post-Polokwane administration of the governing party. As much has been articulated in the Polokwane conference resolution on "Communications & the Battle of Ideas", which states, amongst other things, that:

·         "Conference recognises that while there has been much progress in engagement with the Media much still needs to be done as some fractions of the media continue to adopt an anti-transformation, anti-ANC stance."

·         "The ANC is faced with a major ideological offensive, largely driven by the opposition and fractions in the mainstream media..."; and, on the establishment of a Media Appeals Tribunal (MAT),

·         "The investigation should consider the desirability that such a MAT be a statutory institution, established through an open, public and transparent process, and be made accountable to Parliament."

What the ANC suggests is that because South African journalists have occasion to report negatively on the governing party's conduct and performance, the problem must lie with South Africa's journalists and their ethics, rather than with the ANC and theirs. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has always, and continues to advocate for self-regulation by the media. The Argus incident and others make it incumbent upon the media fraternity to examine their current systems and consider stronger remedies; but these should never be the prerogative of any government - especially given how often governments are sordidly entwined in incidents of this nature.

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko, MP, Democratic Alliance national spokesperson, July 7 2010

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