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.

The Commission has therefore invited the Chairperson of the Information Regulator, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, to participate in the engagement. The Chairperson of the Information Regulator will give an input on the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act No. 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and how it relates to the elections. Advocate Tlakula will also reflect on the pending International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC), which will be hosted in South Africa, from the 10th to the 13th March 2019.
The Commission has always and continues to recognise the crucial role played by a free press in a constitutional democracy. The Commission therefore endeavours to ensure that 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, is protected. The SAHRC, thus in regarding the media as a key stakeholder in the execution of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to protect, promote and monitor the attainment of human rights, will provide the media a platform to ventilate any concerns related to press freedom and how they perceive the Commission’s execution of its mandate with respect to their industry.

Reports by the media have played a crucial role in reporting human rights violations the Commission is/has actively. 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.  

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 meeting will take place on the 6th March 2019m, from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
 
Venue: SAHRC Main Boardroom
             Braampark Office Park
             33 Hoofd Street
             Braamfontein
             Johannesburg

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Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
If you wish to attend contact Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.