The newly appointed spokesperson for uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), Sifiso Mahlangu has exposed the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF)’s perceived bias and selective approach by confirming that SANEF failed to practice fair journalism by offering him a right of reply before releasing a statement about him. SANEF released an officially media statement about Mahlangu’s recent decision to join the MK Party based on reports that are alleging the former news editor Mahlangu was involved with the MKP “from its inception.”
MK Party categorised actions and views of SANEF as reckless and not supported by any verifiable facts. The party has called out the forum for failing to apply basic standards of verification and balance, by issuing a statement based on lies. “As a matter of principle, SANEF strongly condemns any editor or journalist engaging in political activity. The role of an editor demands independence, impartiality, credibility and the unwavering trust of the public. Any blurring of the lines between journalism and party politics fundamentally undermines public confidence in the media and damages the integrity of the profession as a whole.
“It is particularly ill-advised for an editor to be associated with the formation of a political party, as this raises serious questions around conflict of interest, editorial independence and the potential erosion of ethical newsroom standards,” said SANEF in a statement.
In exposing the forum, Mahlangu asked why it has not raised similar questions regarding the leader of Rise Mzansi and former editor of Business Day, Songezo Zibi who was funded by the family of Oppenheimer. Rise Mzansi received R15 million from Rebecca Oppenheimer in funding since it was formed.
The forum has been led by the editor of the Sunday Times and a Chairperson, Makhudu Sefara, who was placed on “special leave”, after it was exposed that a company of which he was the sole director was linked to a lottery-funded project that is under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
GroupUp reported Unscripted Communication, received four payments from Todi Media Foundation totalling R550,000 between 21 November and 12 December 2018 for a lottery-funded “media” project.
“The MK Party further notes that SANEF should focus on addressing allegations relating to its own leadership, such as Special Investigating Unit-related findings involving SANEF’s Chairperson, who was also an editor of the Sunday Times. These matters relate to allegations that the National Lotteries Commission funds, intended to serve the poor, were allegedly directed toward the payment of a private residence.
“SANEF should also occupy itself with advocating for fair remuneration for black journalists, who continue to raise concerns about inequality in pay, compared to their white counterparts. At a minimum, SANEF must reflect on the seriousness of issuing public statements based on inference and assumption, while also failing to observe basic procedural fairness, such as providing a right to reply to Cde Mahlangu,” said the party in a statement.
