SANEF says media are allowed out during lockdown provided they have the correct documentation

Image via: flickr

Journalists with ‘permission cards’ allowed out during lockdown

SANEF says it has received final confirmation that media can be allowed out during lockdown, provided they have the correct documentation.

SANEF says media are allowed out during lockdown provided they have the correct documentation

Image via: flickr

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) announced that the media and their support staff will be allowed out during lockdown, as long as they have the correct documentation. 

UPDATE: Government late on Thursday advised that the earlier issued media advisory on arrangements for media covering government media briefings during the lockdown, has been retracted with immediate effect.

“SANEF now has final confirmation from both the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni Abrahams and the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, that media workers and support staff will need the following to go out on assignments during the lockdown,” it said in a statement. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown set to commence on Thursday at 23:59. During the 21-day lockdown period, all South Africans those that fall under essential services, are expected to remain at home.

Here’s what media will need during lockdown  

  • ID document;
  • A media card; and
  • A permit. The permit is included as Annexure C in government gazette No. 43148 – The Disaster Management Regulations released by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 25 March 2020.

The permit in “Annexure C” includes the following: 

The member of the media needs to supply their full names, their ID number, all their contact details, their physical address, along with the signature of their employer. 

The regulations state that if the person does not accompany the media card and permit with an identification document, they will immediately be sent back to their residence. 

The following will be required for foreign journalists:

  • Identification/ passport;
  • Confirmation from an employer that the person is a working journalist, a letter will do; and
  • The permit from Annexure C as mentioned above. 

The following will be required from freelancers:

  • ID document;
  • A letter from the media house confirming the journalist is working on their projects; and
  • The permit from Annexure C as mentioned above.

Calls for the media to be protected during lockdown outings 

In line with the designation of media as an essential service, the government is requesting media and broadcast organisations — especially those who are actively covering the current disaster — to ensure that journalists and broadcast technical crews and distributors are in possession at all times of press cards, personal identity documents or corporate identity cards at all times.

“Letters from employers vouching for staff members or freelancers will also make it easier for law-enforcement officers to process media workers’ access to story locations,” said Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu. 

“Given that media workers are citizens first and foremost, the government urges employers to ensure that media workers have access to protective supplies and equipment that will keep them safe and will safeguard the wellbeing of persons with whom media workers may come into contact,” he added. 

Praised for keeping the public accurately informed 

Government’s classification of media work as an essential service during the COVID-19 national state of disaster and lockdown is a measure to ensure South Africans and the international community have access to vital information during this time.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, expressed the government’s appreciation for the role, media in the country and internationally, have played in bringing information to South Africans from all walks of life and geographic locations.

“In South Africa, the space, airtime and social media engagement devoted by quality journalism to the outbreak and the national response, has contributed in reducing misinformation, negative impact of fake news and unfounded panic emerging from some social media users and other sources,” he said. 

“In a moment of crisis such as we are experiencing, journalism that informs, enlightens, empowers and brings hope to citizens and stakeholders is an important national asset and necessity,” he added. 

“In the weeks ahead during the national lockdown, the engagement between government – through the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) – and public, community and commercial media will help us ensure that people understand and implement the stringent measures that are in effect in the country,” added Mthembu.