Concerned journalists, non-governmental organisations and members of the public met on Wednesday, 21 April 1999, at the Workers' Library & Museum in Johannesburg to demand that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) re-instate television journalist Max du Preez.

The meeting resolved to:

1. Call on the SABC to immediately re-instate Max du Preez on the same contract conditions he enjoyed prior to the sacking; 2. Call on the SABC's Board to ensure that the editorial independence of journalists working at the institution is guaranteed and protected against arbitrary interference by senior management; 3. Further call on the Board to ensure that fair and just labour practices be observed by the public broadcaster; 4. Call on the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to urgently investigate the violation of editorial independence by SABC management during the events leading up to the sacking of Du Preez; 5. Further call on the IBA to investigate the biased reporting by SABC News (radio and television) on the Du Preez matter (in particular, television news items broadcast on the evening of Monday 19 April, 1999). Not only was the public denied its right to hear all sides of the matter, but Du Preez was also denied his right of reply (even after he had indicated his desire to comment on the matter); 6. Call on the public who object to the unfair dismissal of one of South Africa's most respected independent critical journalists, Max du Preez, to join in this campaign demanding his re-instatement by contacting the chairman of the board, Prof Paulus Zulu at: Postal address: University of Natal, Durban, 4041 Telephone: (031) 260-2344 Fax: (031) 260-1189 E-mail: wells@admin.und.ac.za. Issued by: The Re-instate Max du Preez Committee Contacts: Hassen Lorgat Tel: (011) 403-8403 (Friends of the Public Broadcaster) (011) 834-2181 E-mail:hass@mweb.co.za Laura Pollecutt (Freedom of Expression Institute) Tel: (011) 403-8403