The South African National Editor’s Forum (Sanef) has appointed an Independent Auditor to probe the alleged donation to the crowd-funding for the SABC8 journalists by the Bosasa Group. This follows allegations published by TimesLive that alleged that Bosasa may have donated an amount of R100 000 in support of the SABC8. The SABC8 were a group of journalists who were suspended in 2016 for speaking out against censorship at the public broadcaster.
Sanef Chairperson, Mahlatse Mahlase says they found no evidence that money was received from Bosasa.
“We saw that there still continuing doubts and we felt that as part of being held accountable, it is important that we think and have an independent person come in. For us it is important that the media industry does not have a cloud hanging over them. Receiving money to write stories in a particular way or be influenced is against our ethical conduct as journalists and we just wanted to make sure that we clear this dark cloud that is hanging over the industry.”
Latest press statement: SANEF Appoints Independent Auditor to Investigate the Alleged Funding Of the SABC 8 Journalists by the Bosasa Group – 25 January 2019
Read more: https://t.co/hTTRAjW0PI— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) January 25, 2019
SANEF is a non for profit association whose purpose is to advance journalism – a critical component of media freedom and access to information as enshrined in our constitution.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) January 25, 2019
We supported the SABC 8 because they were fighting a just cause bigger than they were and for which many members of the public rightly offered their support.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) January 25, 2019
We want to state categorically that we never solicited funds from Bosasa. What we issued was a call for members of the public to donate through the crowd-funding platform, and we remain grateful for all the contributions received.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) January 25, 2019
We will not condone shoddy journalism and have no hesitation in calling to order our own in the media, hence every effort is being made to institute an independent commission of inquiry into credibility and ethics in the media.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) January 25, 2019
