Centralised gov ad budget: SANEF slams Cabinet plan to 'bribe' media

The organisation says in its statement that "this incredible plan, which was approved by the Cabinet on June 8, means that the government wishes to bribe newspapers to become its propagandists or even its mouthpieces by publishing only the government's view of news and affairs."

A serious offence

SANEF says this "would be a serious offence against the freedom of the media clause in the Constitution which the government has sworn to uphold. Freedom means liberty and particularly conduct where financial inducement or threat plays no part."

Government spokesman, Jimmy Manyi announced that the government is to centralise the conduct of government advertising operations in his department, the Government Communications and Information System, to achieve economies of scale - getting "more bang for its buck" - and to get its message across.

SANEF says in its statement: "Apart from the abhorrence with which journalists and newspaper managements will view this attempt to coerce the press - and which in particular will contravene the Press Code of Conduct as well as the rules of the Advertising Standards Authority - the consequences for the government's reputation overseas, especially among investors, and that of the news media which enjoys high regard internationally are being ignored."

An own goal?

"Another result overlooked is the effect on the European Union, which is steadfast in upholding media freedom and would reject government bribery of the press as unacceptable. That would mean the end of any prospect that Planning Minister Trevor Manuel would become a senior officer of the International Monetary Fund.

SANEF in its statement says it reminds the government that several attempts to use the threat to withdraw advertising as a means of punishing newspapers for being outspoken and critical of official malpractice and corruption in South Africa have failed; in Botswana, for example, the Supreme Court has forced the government to abandon such practices.

"SANEF calls on the government to drop this scheme immediately and to revert to accepted professional principles in the placing of advertising before further harm is done. It is also urged to refrain from persisting with its hostility towards the press."

For more:

• Zapiro: First rape of justice, now rape of free speech

• IOL: Fury at state 'media bribe' bid... Our man Manyi says "we do not want to be done any favours by anyone" but many people reckon the move to "reward" media that says nice things about the government will be get a couple of "favours" in return.

• Mail & Guardian: Editors slam government advertising scheme... In the opinion of many, the government's R1 billion yearly advertising budget is little more than a plan to bribe newspapers to publish only its view of news and affairs.

• Google News Search: SANEF advertising

• Twitter Search: SANEF OR SAeditorsforum OR #Manyi OR "Jimmy Manyi"