The South Africa National Editors’ Forum remains extremely concerned that security arrangements for the president’s State of the Nation address may restrict the ability of journalists to carry out their work.The South Africa National Editors’ Forum remains extremely concerned that security arrangements for the president’s State of the Nation address may restrict the ability of journalists to carry out their work.

1.  Block 1, Richmond Forum, Ground Floor, 18 Cedar Avenue, Richmond, 2092 
 Tel 011 482 5771 / 6775  Fax 011 482 9132  046 338 NPO  www.sanef.org.za  director@sanef.org.za 
STATEMENT ON MEDIA ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SONA 2017
The South AfricaNational Editors’Forumremainsextremelyconcernedthatsecurityarrangementsfor
the president’sState of the Nationaddressmayrestrictthe abilityof journaliststocarry out theirwork.
SANEFhas beensupportingeffortsbythe PressGalleryAssociationtourgentlyconsultparliamenttoget
assurancesthat securityofficerswillensure freedomof movementforthe event.
SANEFsubsequentlywrote tothe Speakerof the National Assembly,BalekaMbete andchairpersonof
the National Council of Provinces,Thandi Modise,spellingoutourconcernsand askingforurgentclarity.
The letterswere acknowledged,andModise saidshe hadreferredthe mattertothe Secretaryto
parliament,GengeziMgidlana.
However,these effortswere hamperedthismorningafterparliamentissuedastatementthatwasnot
onlypremature butalsowasnot a true reflectionof whathadtranspiredata meetingbetweenthe
PGA, a SANEFrepresentativeandMr Mgidlanaon Tuesdayevening.
SANEFsupportsthe PGA’srequest – made at whatwas to be a follow-upmeeting- forthe statementto
be withdrawn. The statementwasmisleadingandclaimedthatagreementonarange of issueshad
beenreached. The statementamountedtoabreachof trustin ongoingattemptstofinda solutionto
our seriousconcernsaboutsecurityplansatparliament.
SANEFhas alwaysunderstoodandabidedbyspecial measuresimplementedinthe pastduringspecial
eventslike SONA. However,twenty-fourhoursaheadof the event,there are manyconcernsand
questionsremaining.Forinstance,atthe Tuesdaymeeting,anassurance wasgiventhatthe media’s
concernswouldbe raisedwiththe police andfeedbackcommunicatedtothe PGA and SANEF.
Evenat thislate hour, SANEFremainshopeful thatthese matterswillbe clarifiedurgentlyandthat
journalistswill notbe restrictedtoaso called“mediasquare”,andthat the police andothersecurity
unitswill be instructedtoallow journaliststoconducttheirworkwithoutunwarrantedobstruction.
For Inquiries:
Sanef Chairperson Mahlatse Gallens 083 399 2852; Sanef Media FreedomSubCommittee Chairperson
Sam Mkokeli 082 084 2051