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SANEF backs Sunday Times
In a press statement issued yesterday, Monday, 20 August 2007, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) backed Sunday Times, saying that it believes that the media institution would have, prior to publication, taken sufficient steps to ensure that the information concerning Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was true, and that the Sunday Times would have also deemed the publication of the information to be in the public interest.
The statement continued:
- SANEF supports the right of any editor to publish information that he/she believes to be truthful and to be in the public interest.
SANEF is opposed to the wilful, malicious and vindictive violation of privacy of individuals, especially when it concerns children and family.
SANEF respects the individual's right to privacy, except where it conflicts clearly with public interest. The revelations concerning the minister of health falls clearly in the domain of public interest.However, SANEF also acknowledged that in this particular instance, there are legal processes underway and calls being made for a more structured investigation by government into the veracity of the allegations. The body hoped that minister will take the challenge to prove the reports right or wrong.
SANEF also suggested that the minister, in respect of her rights, take up any concerns with the Sunday Times editor and that if she is not happy with the outcome, she could approach the office of the press ombudsman.
Meanwhile, online sister publication The Times continues to add to its special report on the minister at http://www.thetimes.co.za/SpecialReports/manto/Default.aspx?id=250236, including articles, court documents, Zapiro cartoons, lists of who is blogging about the issue, requests for public comment – and the Sunday Times's editorial rationale behind its exposé. Colin Daniels, The Times new media strategy manager, also reports on his blog that the news site had its best-ever day of web traffic since the site launched on Sunday 19 August, with over 30 000 visitors.
