South Africa: Media Statement Following Meeting Between Government and Sanef Leadership, 28 - 29 October 2011

The government delegation was led by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and comprised a range of Cabinet members and Deputy Ministers. The SANEF delegation was led by chairperson Mondli Makhanya and included senior editorial executives from the country's main print and broadcast organisations.

The meeting allowed government and editors to discuss the expectations they have of one another in the context the Constitutional provisions on freedom of expression and the rights of all South Africans to receive and impart information.

The meeting agreed that this engagement helps deepen, on the part of both the government and the media, an understanding of their respective roles in consolidating our democracy, as guided by the Constitution.

The meeting included presentations on the strengthening of the Press Code, which applies to print media, and also the work being done by the Press Freedom Commission which is investigating ways in which media regulation functions around the world, while both sides made their views known in this regard.

Cabinet expressed its expectations in terms of the role of the media in deepening democracy and ensuring that the Constitution is promoted.