Print media’s ability to self-regulate ‘inadequate’
THE ability of the print media in SA to regulate itself was inadequate, the Press Freedom Commission heard yesterday.
The commission, formed in July last year, is investigating regulation mechanisms for the print media. It was set up at the behest of the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) and Print Media SA (PMSA), an industry body.
Press regulation has come into the spotlight after the government’s call for stricter regulation of the press. Proposed regimes include independent regulation, co-regulation, statutory regulation and self-regulation.
Yesterday, submissions were made by a range of people including Human Rights Commissioner Lawrence Mushwana, journalism professors and readers.
Most told the commission that while the current system, regulated by the office of the press ombudsman, veteran journalist Joe Thloloe, was effective, it lacked teeth to take punitive measures against journalists and newspapers that did not abide by ethical codes.
Fireworks are expected today when African National Congress secretary-general Gwede Mantashe makes a submission on behalf of the party, one of the most vocal critics of the media.
Yesterday, Prof Jane Duncan of Rhodes University said a new form of regulation that went beyond the hearing of complaints was required.
“The council should publish a ladder of intervention outlining the sanctions prescribed for a particular level of offence. The council should have the power to issue fines in the case of extreme and repeated transgressions of the code. Fines will be graded according to the level of seriousness,” she said. Prof Duncan also felt that the council should be more proactive, conducting research and offering pre-publication advice.
Mzimkulu Malunga, MD of BDFM, publishers of Business Day, submitted that the current mechanism had no legitimacy among a substantial section of society and called for an independent body headed by a retired judge. “We should have a regulatory mechanism that is free of government but that has enough gravitas to force editors to think harder on stories and return to the basic principles of journalism.
Read More: Business Day