The star Online
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The frequent and widespread misquoting of Schabir Shaik trial judge Hilary Squires was "a most regrettable error", the South African National Editors' Forum has said.
"Sanef was of the view, however, that the error was not deliberate and did not indicate any pervasive lack of professionalism," it said yesterday after a meeting of its council in Johannesburg on Monday.
Sanef acknowledged that Judge Squires had not used the phrase "generally corrupt relationship" regarding the interaction between Shaik and axed deputy president Jacob Zuma.
It noted that the judge had ruled that a "mutually beneficial symbiosis" existed between the two men.
"Sanef urges members to reflect on the incident and to implement measures to ensure it is not repeated."
Urging media trainers to use the experience of this incident for training, Sanef endorsed a University of the Witwatersrand journalism and media studies programme proposal to incorporate the issue of the incident in a media and journalism project next year.
Sanef also discussed the SABC's refusal to release a report on its probe into the blacklisting of analysts.
"Sanef noted reports that disciplinary action is being taken against staff who co-operated with the inquiry," it said.
It also expressed concern at the increase in pre-publication interdicts - six of which had recently been sought.
Sanef reaffirmed its opposition to the pressuring of a Cape Town journalist to testify in a defamation matter.
The forum condemned the harassment of an editor over a report involving a local prosecutor and the harassment of a Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University student over reports in a student newspaper. It said it was unhappy that reporters had been denied access to the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
The forum also resolved to urgently seek formal withdrawal of the Film and Publications Amendment Bill. - Sapa