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South Africa Alert Update

 22 January 2010

 Media group backs e-TV


The Professional Journalists Association (Projourn) was opposed to police attempts to force e.tv to hand over footage of two suspected criminals, the organisation said on 21 January 2010 Projourn spokesperson Raymond Joseph said it was the duty of journalists to protect the identity of their sources, despite the possible consequences.

"And this is not negotiable - both from an ethical and a pragmatic point of view," he said.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on 21 January 2010 that a subpoena for the footage of an e.tv interview with two suspected criminals stood, even though one of the men had been arrested. The men told the news crew they were planning to commit robberies and murders during the 2010 World Cup. Joseph said it was disheartening to see the government enforce legislation which has been used as a stick to force journalists into complicity with the state in the past.

"The media's independence and its ability to delve into all sections of our society, no matter how reviled, is critical," he said. "The ability to assure the confidentiality of sources cannot be called into question in trying to ensure a free and unbiased media," he said.

BACKGROUND

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has demanded e.tv to help police arrest the criminals who threatened to rob World Cup tourists during interviews broadcast by the station recently. The move came following police decision to have two eNews journalists subpoenaed, after a story was broadcast on criminals' plans for the Soccer World Cup.  Reporter Mpho Lakaje's story, aired on 15 January 2010, featured interviews with two criminals. One said he would rob tourists during the World Cup. Another said he would shoot his way out of a standoff with police if he felt his life was in danger.

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