The Freedom of Expression Institute strongly condemns a recent incident involving a South African Broadcasting Corporation journalist, Diale Kgantsi. Kgantsi covered a story involving a former employee of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union, Sethwell Ramagaga. Ramagaga was apparently fired by SADTU after it was discovered that he was drawing a salary both from the union and from the Department of Education. Ramagaga was subsequently earmarked for appointment as the African National Congress's election co-ordinator in the North-West province. The story focussed on the appropriateness of this appointment in the light of the allegations of corruption against Ramagaga. However, subsequently SADTU went on record denying that Ramagaga was fired for the above mentioned reason.

The story was broadcast on the night of the 19th of March. Kgantsi had based his story on two sources of information, who requested confidentiality. Shortly after the broadcast, the Premier of the North West province, Popo Molefe, phoned Kgantsi asking him to reveal his sources of information - which he refused to do - and apparently insulted him and accused him of practising ‘gutter journalism'. The Premier then phoned Kgantsi's editor, as well as a number of Kgansi's friends who were suspected of being the sources. Two members of the Premier's office also visited Kgantsi to dissuade him from pursuing the story. Members of Kgantsi's family have also been subjected to telephone calls and visits in an attempt to pressurise Kgantsi to drop the story.

The FXI is shocked by this sort of behaviour. Whatever the merits of the story, we feel that this is no way to deal with the matter. We would expect the Premier's office, and especially the Premier, as the province's leadership, to set an example with respect to media freedom and independence. Such freedom and independence cannot be guaranteed if journalists are pressurised to reveal confidential sources of information. By pressurising Kgantsi to reveal his sources, the Premier struck at the heart of constitutional guarantees of media freedom. The involvement of Kgantsi's family in the incident is especially odious.

If the Premier's office felt aggrieved by the Kgantsi's reportage, then they have every right to pursue the matter with the existing complaints mechanism, namely the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa. The office is also entitled to the right of reply. We would expect these redress mechanisms to be exploited to the fullest. However, to attempt to seek redress by applying pressure on Kgantsi and his family is reprehensible behaviour that sets a terrible precedent which violates the SABC's constitutional right to freedom of expression.

The FXI has written to the Premier setting out these points, and seeking a response to the matter, as well as assurances that such an incident will not occur again.

Contact: Jane Duncan, Head: Policy and Research (011-403-8403) Chairperson: Mandla Seleoane (083 062 5507)