SA media, police smoke peace pipe

For the past few years, journalists, cameramen and photographers operating in South Africa have been subject to police intimidation, illegal detention, verbal abuse and manhandling at crime scenes, political events and courts.

Sought common ground

The meeting, held under the auspices of the joint committee of South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) and South African Police Force (formerly the Police Service), unravelled that mystery and sought common ground for future mutual collaboration.

“Police gave us their side of the story, including their wish to see suspects successfully prosecuted, and we told them what our job entails and why we require certain things and some pieces of information to tell our story,” Mary Papaya, SANEF secretary-general told Bizcommunity.com a little while ago.

“We agreed that we all have a role to play in our society and pledged to work together in harmony while maintaining our respective integrity,” Papaya added.

Agreed on resolutions

Both parties then made peace and agreed on certain ‘groundbreaking' resolutions which include treating each other with respect, maintaining the highest ethical standards at all times and acting within the confines of the law.

The two ‘former enemies' also agreed that all complaints channelled through a task team will be thoroughly investigated and ‘corrective action' taken where applicable.

Furthermore, it was agreed that legal teams from both parties will come together to address laws and legislation that governs fundamental functions of both police and the media.

However, some observers - wary of police brutality and God-like status - have dismissed these resolutions a ‘mere theory printed on a piece of paper', saying it is highly likely cops will violate them.

“Waste of time”

“I know how these cops behave, especially at crime scenes, and I am 100% sure that they will not abide by these resolutions, which is waste of time,” one journalist, who has been a victim of police brutality in the past, told Bizcommunity.com.

“What frustrates me more is the fact that their horrible acts go unpunished. And what makes you think that this so-called high-level meeting will change their behaviour? I am pretty sceptical about this uneasy peace.”

But, Papaya slammed this kind of scepticism, saying: “Let sceptics be sceptics. We will not get anywhere with scepticism. If someone doubts this process, he or she should attend the next meeting. This was a high-level workshop attended by decision-makers and I can't see how these resolutions will be transgressed.

“Reinforcing media freedom”

“Of course, information will be filtered down to all journalists in newsrooms and local police stations nationwide. So, there is no doubt in my mind these resolutions will go a long way towards reinforcing media freedom in SA.”

Cele's spokeswoman Nonkululeko Mbatha and SAPF media liaison officer Vishnu Naidoo were not available for comment.

But Cele said in a statement: “While there is still more to be done, I am proud indeed to have been part of such an informative and fruitful discussion today, and I am confident that we have created a platform for an even more harmonious working relationship between media and police.”

• SANEF: Joint Statement by the South African National Editors' Forum and the South African Police Services