MEDIA FREEDOM - "The Star" on October 25 reported that a special task team was to be set up to investigate laws that curb media freedom. Editors and National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka agreed upon this at a meeting in which raids Ngcuka authorised on media houses on October 19, in contravention of an interim agreement between him and the media on how such matters would be handled, were discussed. Serious Violent Crimes Unit detectives raided the offices of the SABC, Associated Press and Reuters, hunting for video footage relating to the lynching in August 1996 of gang leader Rashaad Staggie during a Pagad protest march, as well as of three other Pagad marches in February and March that year. The videotapes were being sought for use in the prosecutions of Pagad national co-ordinator Abdul-Salaam Ebrahim, who is to stand trial for Staggie's murder and for terrorism. At a meeting with the SA National Editors Forum, Ngcuka provided certain information relating to the raids which Sanef had wanted to study. Ngcuka's office had reiterated that the raids were not meant to coincide with Media Freedom Day. Sanef said that it had accepted the explanation by Ngcuka that the action was not meant to curb media freedom. Sanef added that Ngcuka's office had placed before it information explaining the timing, and an urgent meeting would be held in this regard. The meeting agreed that steps should be taken to set up a task team to investigate laws that infringe on freedom of expression. Sanef described that as a positive step and an important development. Editors, particularly, are seeking an amendment to Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows the authorities to compel journalists to disclose their sources.

MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT -On October 25, "The Citizen" reported that Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on October 24 lashed out at the media for insisting on questioning her about the government's stance on the causes of HIV/Aids. She voiced her concern while speaking in Zola, Soweto, where guidelines aimed at assisting health care workers manage and care for HIV positive people were unveiled at a clinic. Her attack followed a question about the government's stance on the debate about the link between HIV and Aids. She responded by saying the media wanted her to repeat "what we have already explained, that government's stance is based on the thesis that HIV causes Aids. We are going to move forward and we are not going to stay in one place." she said. Presented in the form of eight booklets, the guidelines seek to clearify the ways nurses should explain to HIV positive mothers how to prevent mother-child transmission of the virus and how they should deal with HIV positive pregnant women. "The release of the guidelines is part of a broad strategy aimed at facilitating the development of a policy on the treatment of people living with Aids," she said.

MEDIA OWNERSHIP - "Sowetan" on October 27 reported that an empowerment group New Africa Media has acquired 24,9 percent of the two P4 stations in Durban and Cape Town. This followed successful negotiations with owners Makana Trust and P4 International in terms of the agreement, NAM would hold 24,9 percent, Makana 55.1 and P4 International will hold the remaining 20 percent. The P4 stations are relatively new stations that target black audiences in the higher income brackets. The deal will bring stability to the stations and the radio industry. NAM executive Talib Sadik said: "We see the stations as lucrative assets with great potential. They fit in with our strategy of focusing on the emerging black market. Makana spokesperson Peter Paul Ngwenya said: " It was necessary to go into an agreement to provide the stations with working capital and create synergies that will enhance black economic empowerment.

JOURNALISTS - "Sunday World" reported that on October 22 that black women journalists had gathered in Dube Village, Soweto, to celebrate Media Freedom Day and the achievements of black women in the media. The theme of the meeting was Black Media Women of the 60s to 80s Reclaim their Writeful Place, and the event was sponsored by the SABC news department. Among those honoured were Sophie Tema, who was a senior journalist at "The World", "City Press" and then the "Sowetan", Ruth Bengu, a journalist at the "Sowetan" for more than 20 years, and Sinah Kunene who worked for "City Press" and the "Sowetan". Special mention was made of Motsweding FM presenter Keleabetswe Komane, who won the Elizabeth R Award for public broadcasting, awarded by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. The women also resolved to establish an association of black female journalists to advance their interests.

Meanwhile, Mpumalanga journalists Justin Areinstein and Sharon Hammond received the prestigious Knight International Press Fellowship Award for their contributions to journalism. The International Centre for Journalists honoured the two from African Eye News Service in Nelspruit, and Russian journalist Andre Babitsky for their commitment to upholding the highest professional standards and a strong independent press. ICFJ board director James Hoge said AENS provided a remarkable news service, where courage is part of the activity and quality". Areinstein and Hammond founded AENS in 1995 after being fired for advocating equal pay rates for black and white freelance reporters. They launched the agency in xNelspruit with one computer. Today they supply eight Southern African countries and Britain with news and features.

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