The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recently manifested its concern in response to the request of South Africa’s State Security Agency (SSA) to impose additional security screening, incorporating a polygraph test, on South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) editor-in-chief, Moshoeshoe Monare. This development was set into motion following a leaked audio recording involving President Cyril Ramaphosa criticising media coverage of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and advocating for more positive campaign messaging.
Monare’s unprecedented security vetting, which occurred just weeks before the elections, has caught the eye of many and led to speculations of political interference. While Monare showed willingness to comply with the vetting procedures, he did question the necessity of a polygraph test. A number of media watchdogs and civil society groups have expressed their reservations, suggesting that journalists should be kept away from such processes to prevent them from unduly influencing media operations, especially around critical events such as elections.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), and the Campaign for Freedom of Expression (CFE) had previously expressed “grave concern” about the situation.
SANEF, together with other media monitoring organizations, asked the SABC board to reassert its commitment to editorial independence and urged Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele to ensure protection against political interference.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) indicates that South Africa’s media landscape is diverse, solid, and dynamic, however, political tensions sometimes result in disinformation or smear campaigns against media outlets.