ActionSA welcomes the upholding of the Pess Council ruling

2 May 2024

ActionSA welcomes the ruling by the Chairperson of the Press Council Appeals Committee, retired Judge President, Bernard Ngoepe, in the matter finding against Rapport for the publication of an anonymous poll of 10 March 2024.

The ruling by Judge Ngoepe upholds the Press Council's original ruling that the withholding of the identity of the organization that conducted the poll published in Rapport, News24 and City Press constituted withholding material information that the readers of these media outlets were entitled to in terms of the Press Code.

The consequence of this ruling is that Rapport, City Press and News24 must publish the identity of the organization responsible for that poll within 7 days.

ActionSA contends that this is the first victory in the long road to regulating a polling industry that operates with impunity in South Africa and that the media are a vital institution in safeguarding our electoral democracy from insidious influence. 

ActionSA affirms its respect for the reputable media outlets concerned and holds no animus against the journalist involved. 

We deeply respect the media institutions in South Africa and the role they play in protecting our democracy which is why ActionSA took this step in our original objection.

Issued by Michael Beaumont, ActionSA Team Fix SA Member for Infrastructure, 2 May 2024