FAIR campaign launched on World Press Freedom Day
The Press Council launched the FAIR Press campaign on Wednesday 3 May 2023, the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
The links between the two events were significant. The Day serves as a global reminder that a free media is a cornerstone of human rights, while the FAIR Press campaign underpins the powerful, independent journalism that is essential as we continue to support a liberated South Africa.
On launch, Latiefa Mobara, Executive Director of the Press Council, said ‘the role of the media in South Africa remains of crucial importance in defending our democracy’.
‘Despite socio-economic and political challenges in a rapidly evolving environment, newsrooms in the country continue to ensure Factual, Accountable, Independent and Responsible (FAIR) journalism. Good journalism defends democracy, and a FAIR press is more important than ever in present-day South Africa
‘Our media enjoys a high level of trust compared to other institutions (this, according to the Afrobarometer issued in 2021, with the current survey here).We need to remain vigilant and maintain this trust to ensure that we do not see a return to the repressive tactics experienced during the apartheid era.
‘Our over 400 subscriber publications across the country will be displaying the Press Council’s FAIR logo, reaffirming their commitment to adhere to the Press Code and their support of the Press Council’s independent mediation and adjudication processes that will hold them accountable should they breach the Code.’
The Press Council’s constituent members are in full support of the campaign.
The Press Council complemented the launch of the FAIR Press campaign with the release of an updated version of Decoding the Code, Sentence by Sentence, a guide by former Press Ombud Johan Retief. This explanatory breakdown for journalists and members of the public is designed to make the Code more accessible.
In terms of the role of the Press Council and the Code, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) said at the launch of the FAIR campaign that, ‘we know the importance of independent and unbiased media; equally, we should be aware of our responsibilities as members of the Fourth Estate’.
The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) said it strongly supported the work of the Press Council and, in particular, its FAIR campaign: ‘Factual, accountable, independent and responsible information at the grassroots level is the lifeblood of local democracy.’
The Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) said it was privileged to add its voice to the FAIR campaign in support of ethical journalism and in acknowledgement of the work done by the Press Council.
‘Often the value of the community journalism is reinforced through the support and guidance received from the Press Council and office of the Ombuds.
‘Our industry would not have been able to continue nurturing young journalistic talents in newsrooms across South African towns without this. It is often in these small-town newsrooms where journalists, just starting their career, first encounter and learn about the Press Code and Ombuds.
‘The FCJ aims to ensure the wellbeing of community journalists, editors and photographers, making its support of this campaign necessary as both bodies serve with one goal in mind – ethical journalism.’
Update: All subscriber members continue to carry in-house advertisements promoting the FAIR campaign a year after launch.
