South African media group flags threats to press freedom

03 Mai 2020

Cape Town, South Africa, May 3 (Infosplusgabon) – The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) on Sunday expressed concern over threats to press freedom during the coronavirus pandemic and warned that jobs  are being lost in the media industry.

Marking World Press Freedom Day, it noted that journalists are regarded as designated essential workers who seek to provide news about the pandemic.

"We have seen audiences soar as citizens seek information on health issues and the economy. However, while journalism plays its critical role, simultaneously it has also been under severe financial threat as the lockdown has prompted advertisers to rein in spending and made it difficult to circulate newspapers and magazines,” SANEF said in a statement.

Over the past week, Associated Media, which publishes leading South African magazines, including Cosmopolitan, closed its business over financial constraints.  And several media houses have announced plans to slash salaries by up to 40 percent and to stop using freelance journalists.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/TYG/GABON2020

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