Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 14-12-2017
The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has urged journalists attending the 54th African National Congress (ANC) conference to uphold the highest standards of ethics as prescribed in the Press Code and to report without fear or favour.
Sanef referred to the case of Tiso Blackstar, who instituted of disciplinary proceedings against their reporter, Jan-Jan Joubert, on the basis that the journalist had not declared an apparent conflict interest in the coverage of a story linked to the Democratic Alliance.
It says it respects the newspaper’s internal disciplinary processes and trust that they will uphold their internal Code of Conduct.
“The preamble to the Press Code states: ‘As journalists we commit ourselves to the highest standards, to maintain credibility and keep the trust of the public. This means always … acting independently.’”
In a statement released on 15 February 2014 in the wake of the Brendan Boyle/Donwald Pressly controversy, Sanef stated an unambiguous position in relation to conflicted journalists:
“…editors are the guardians of the highest standards of journalism in their newsrooms and must at all times ensure that journalists do not conduct themselves in a manner that could lead audiences to doubt their political independence. “
Sanef has also expressed disappointment at the recent attempt to reveal the sources of Jacques Pauw’s book, The President’s Keepers.
It says the protection of sources is at the heart of journalism and no journalist, whether in a rival organisation or not, should ever jeopardise a source.
“Our members are reminded that this protection of sources by journalists is sacrosanct.”
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