HRC to investigate controversial journo forum

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NEWSWATCH: The revival of an exclusive forum catering only for black journalists at the Sandton Sun Hotel on Friday, 22 February 2008, and the off-the-record meeting that members of the organisation had with the president of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, has caused controversy within the media industry. The South African Human Rights Commission will be investigating the situation as Talk Radio 702 has complained formally after one of its journalists was forced to leave, according to IOL.

On Friday, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) strongly deplored the decision by the Forum of Black Journalists (FBJ) to exclude journalists who were not members. “The decision effectively means the exclusion of white journalists from the meeting. Such exclusion has no place in South Africa today and certainly not in a forum that represents journalists,” the forum said in a strongly worded statement.

“SANEF respects the FBJ's right to organise and associate as it sees fit provided this does not undermine the open society and democratic values of our constitution and country” continued the statement. “Our democracy came after a hard fought struggle at several levels including the media and every effort should be made to protect it. The address by an important leader such as Zuma is of great public importance, particularly given his views on the media. It is in the interests of journalism and the public at large that this meeting should be open to all journalists wishing to report on it.”

Zuma was quoted by IOL as saying that he saw no problem with white journalists being excluded from the meeting.

According to SABCnews.com, the editor of the Sowetan Thabo Leshilo criticised the decision to form a forum for black journalists saying that black journalists are not discriminated as a group, compared to other black professionals such as lawyers.

The Democratic Alliance wants Abby Mokoe, political editor of the SABC, to give a public explanation for the reason to revive the forum and has asked that Zuma reveal what was said behind closed doors, reports the Mail & Guardian Online.

Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Committee has given the chairperson of the 2010 Local Organising Committee, Irvin Khoza, a week to apologise for calling a journalist a ‘kaffir' at a press conference or he will be taken to court, writes the M&G Online.

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