ANC welcomes Press Ombudsman ruling against the Mail & Guardian The African National Congress welcomes the ruling of the Press Ombudsman on the complaint lodged by the National Chairperson of the ANC, Comrade Baleka Mbete, against the Mail & Guardian Newspaper. The Mail & Guardian published in September of this year an article designed to bring disrepute and impugn the integrity of the National Chairperson as an individual and in her capacity as a leader of the African National Congress. This was done by unfairly stating that she personally had been accused of misusing state funds for her own benefit; neglecting to state that she was found not guilty after having received an illegal driver’s licence; and casting doubt on her integrity and dignity without enough justification to do so. By so doing, the Mail & Guardian breached the Press Code prescripts to report news fairly, present news in context and in a balanced manner and to exercise care and consideration in matters involving dignity and reputation. The Mail & Guardian has therefore been directed to publish an apology to the National Chairperson “for casting doubt on her integrity and dignity without enough justification to do so.” The ANC has further noted with the dismissal of the National Chairperson’s second complaint that argued against the headline “Gold Fields bribed ANC Chair”. While we respect the ruling of the Ombudsman, we concur with the National Chairperson that “the press is given enormous leeway with the use of quotation marks”. Greater care should be exercised when dealing with unfounded allegations of criminality against a person. The ANC and the National Chairperson are pleased however that through the process we have been vindicated; our position was once again reaffirmed that the bribery stated against the National Chairperson was a mere and unfounded allegation and not fact.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 12:47:44 +0000
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