LSSA alarmed at developments at state broadcaster; SABC board urged to create an environment in which journalists can report without fear or favour

Like an independent judiciary and an independent legal profession, a free press is a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy. The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) is alarmed at developments at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) over the past few weeks and yesterday's resignation of Acting CEO Jimi Matthews as his role at the SABC was impacting 'negatively on his moral judgment'. Senior and respected editors and journalists appear to be increasingly ventilating their concerns regarding the negative atmosphere in newsrooms.

The LSSA urges the SABC Board to act decisively to deal with apparent systemic problems and editorial policies that may have led the state broadcaster to the position it is in now. 'Broadcasters and journalists should report the news, not become the news or self-appointed censors. Once this happens it is simply a shame and contrary to the values of an open and democratic society,' say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Mvuso Notyesi and Jan van Rensburg.

They add: 'Members of the public are entitled to professional, objective and fair reporting. This can never be compromised, but especially more so during the period leading up to elections. It is not for a broadcaster – especially the national state broadcaster – to take upon itself a censorship role and decide what the public may or may not see or hear, and what journalists may or may not report.'

There are press codes that guide reporters, publishers and broadcasters, and if members of the public are dissatisfied with reporting, they have access to the self-regulating Press Council and the Office of the Press Ombud to settle disputes over the editorial content of broadcasts and publications. Ultimately there is also access to the courts. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that the SABC Board should endeavor to create an environment in which journalists can report to the general public without fear or favour.


ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, MVUSO NOTYESI and JAN VAN RENSBURG
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Tel: (012) 366 8800
Contact:
Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele at (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344 E-mail: nomfundom@LSSA.org.za

Editor’s note:

The Law Society of South Africa brings together its six constituent members – the Cape Law Society, the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society, the Law Society of the Free State, the Law Society of the Northern Provinces, the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers – in representing South Africa’s 24 300 attorneys and 5 000 candidate attorneys.

 

LSSA alarmed at developments at state broadcaster

LSSA alarmed at developments at state broadcaster; SABC board…

Law Society urges government to ensure a climate for free and fair elections

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) urges Government and political parties to take concrete actions to ensure that the climate in the country during the weeks leading to the local government elections on 3 August 2016 is such, that members of the public feel they can cast their votes freely without threats of intimidation and violence. Also, although communities must be able to exercise freedom of speech and association, Government must urge people to exercise restraint irrespective of their complaints relating to lack of service delivery or differences in political affiliation.

‘The ongoing violent protests that we have witnessed in the media recently in the Tshwane area is of major concern. We believe these protests may persists and even intensify between now and the elections date. Threats of violence as well as allegations that certain parties are not allowed to campaign in certain areas are direct impediments to free and fair elections and to the constitutional right and duty on our citizens to vote freely. The acts of violence also constitute a threat to the rule of law and constitutional democracy in our country. The burning of shops belonging to foreign nationals echoes the xenophobic attacks which left the country bruised and battered not long ago and cannot be tolerated,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Mvuso Notyesi and Jan van Rensburg.

They add: ‘For us as lawyers, protecting the rule of law and constitutional democracy is paramount. The LSSA will be fielding its team of attorney election observers across the country on 3 August in order to serve as the independent eyes and ears of the public to record and report on any incidents that may threaten these fundamental rights.’


ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, MVUSO NOTYESI AND JAN VAN RENSBURG
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Tel: (012) 366 8800 or Website: www.LSSA.org.za
Contact: Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
or Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele at (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344.

Editor’s note:

The Law Society of South Africa brings together its six constituent members – the Cape Law Society, the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society, the Law Society of the Free State, the Law Society of the Northern Provinces, the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers – in representing South Africa’s 24 300 attorneys and 5 000 candidate attorneys.

 

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LSSA urges JSC to deal with allegations of racism expeditiously and transparently

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) joins other bodies in expressing its serious shock and concern at reports that have emerged regarding alleged racist comments made by North Gauteng High Court Judge Mabel Jansen a year ago. The context of the comments and the reason for the one-year delay in reporting these are unclear.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has confirmed that it has received a formal complaint and will deal with it in the prescribed manner.

The LSSA urges the JSC to deal with this matter expeditiously and in a transparent manner so as not to aggravate what is already an inflammatory and complex situation around the issues of racism in our country. ‘Racist comments as we have seen repeatedly this year – and more so from a judge – are polarising and traumatic for our society. Society demands an explanation,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Jan van Rensburg and Mvuso Notyesi.


ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, JAN VAN RENSBURG AND MVUSO NOTYESI
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Tel: (012) 366 8800 or Website: www.LSSA.org.za
Contact:
Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele at (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344 E-mail: nomfundom@LSSA.org.za
 

LSSA urges Judicial Service Commission to deal with allegations of racism against Judge Mabel Jansen expeditiously and transparently

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