The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC), recognises the crucial role played by a free press in a constitutional democracy, the SAHRC regards the media as a key stakeholder in the execution of its constitutional mandate.
In recognition of the importance of the right to freedom of expression – which extends to press freedom - as outlined in section 16 of the Bill of Rights, Chapter Two of the Constitution, the Commission will be hosting a formal engagement with the South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF), other media and interested stakeholders to strengthen the Commission’s relationship with the media and to share its work in the last year.

The media and reports by the media have played a crucial role in reporting human rights violations the Commission is/has actively investigated such as the Oncology Healthcare crisis in Kwa-Zulu Natal, which claimed many lives due to a lack of treatment. The media continues to do this crucial work despite facing threats of the encroachment by social media and ‘fake news’, increased intimidation and harassment, and continued incursions on their freedom to report events of national interest.  Despite these constraints, the South African media industry remains robust and committed to its role of holding power accountable and responsible, and for keeping the public informed.  

With May 2019, marking the sixth national election to be held in Constitutionally Democratic South Africa, the engagement is also intended to strengthen the media’s capacity to understand the interconnectedness of human rights in the run up to these elections.  The media’s role in holding power accountable and its capacity to report freely are critical to free and fair elections and the enjoyment of constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Most critically, the engagement will afford the Commission an opportunity to understand the media’s perception of the Commission and how the SAHRC can improve its exercise of its constitutional mandate.   

The engagement is also intended to allow the media to ventilate any concerns related to press freedom and how they perceive the Commission’s execution of its mandate with respect to their industry.

The meeting will take place on the 6th March 2019.

Venue: SAHRC Main Boardroom
             Braampark Office Park
             33 Hoofd Street
             Braamfontein
             Johannesburg