JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has expressed concern over an altercation between Fadiel Adams's ally Stuart Scharnick and Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi.
Scharnick accused Moloi of recording him without permission. That confrontation, which took place inside the Madlanga Commission, left Moloi feeling intimidated.
SANEF's Head of the Media Freedom Committee, Nicki Gules, viewed this as a serious matter.
She said one cannot discount the effect that such an incident has on journalists on the field.
" An intimidation act is an act against the public that journalists represent, and this cannot be accepted.
"Reporters working in the field, when they are confronted with intimidation such as this, it does cause them to second-guess often and be fearful in the workplace."
Gules said she is not blind to the nature of journalists' work, which often comes with its own challenges.
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And while she recognises that South African journalists are a 'tough bunch', such acts cannot be allowed.
"We need to make sure that we stay the course, that we represent the South African public and fulfil the public's right in our job as the fourth estate. We have to be absolutely clear that we can't allow these acts to
continue,"
In Moloi's case, Gules said he had the right to film as the Commission is open to the public.
"It's a public space, it's a government institution, it's for all intents and purposes operating as a court would. We have been allowed by the commissioners to record proceedings, and that includes taking video and recording verbatim what is going on before the commission. That is what we need to stress."
Madlanga Commission has condemned the altercation between Scharnick and Moloi
Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the inquiry is a dignified space for serious business, and troublemakers will face the law.
Moloi opened a case of intimidation and is awaiting investigation. He said his line manager has offered counselling services after the incident.