FRICTION between the media and security officials at the African National Congress’s policy conference in Midrand placed the ruling party in an awkward position on Wednesday. A reporter’s accreditation was seized and several pictures deleted from his camera.
Delegates to the policy conference were on Wednesday discussion the ANC’s communications draft policy document, which includes the proposal for the establishment of an independent media appeals tribunal to regulate print publications.
Jeff Radebe , ANC head of policy, told a media briefing it was not the party’s policy to interfere with the work of journalists, adding that the matter would be investigated by its steering committee, which ran the conference.
While the ANC did not want to be seen to be bullying the media, it appeared keen to manage the flow of information from the conference, especially as the discussions within the commissions had not yet concluded on Wednesday.
ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu — who has taken flak for saying the media should be regulated by an independent body to prevent political or commercial interference — said the incident would not be repeated during the conference, and that it “also amazes us” how security sometimes conducted itself.
The incident followed several logistical changes to the running of the conference, such as a new entrance for members of the media and journalists being barred from a large area inside Gallagher Estate.
The tense relationship between the media and the ANC recently saw seen a boycott of City Press newspaper after it published in print and on the web images of The Spear, a controversial painting by Brett Murray depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.
Outcomes of Wednesday’s discussions were likely to be announced later in the day, said Mr Mthembu.