The African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday welcomed the findings of the deputy Press Ombudsman against Sunday newspaper, City Press. "...It has always been our view as the ANC that we were treated unfairly by this piece of journalism," ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi said in a statement.

Deputy Press Ombudsman Johan Retief, has found City Press newspaper guilty of breaching the Press Code in an August 16, 2009 article about ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa and ordered it to apologise.

Both Phosa and the ANC complained about a frontpage story headlined "Phosa tries to muzzle City Press".

Retief found the newspaper did not give Phosa ample time to respond and was therefore in breach of article

"Our long held view is that the usage of unknown sources cannot be relied upon because it is short of accuracy, it is potentially damaging, defamatory and could violate someone's dignity," Mnisi said.

"We welcome this outcome because it is in keeping with our belief that individuals must also be protected from unnecessary and unwarranted harm by the media."

He said the ANC believed the media - as one of the oldest and most important institution in the country's democracy -- must be in the hands of responsible individuals who were committed to the principles of objectivity, fairness and balanced reporting.

"Media freedom and independence, its values and principles must always be upheld by those who claim to be its proponent and custodians.

"We believe that this turn of event will go along way to assist the media fraternity to respect and protect this important fundamental human right, the right to inherent dignity and the right to have one's dignity respected and protected."

The ANC said it was waiting for the apology from the newspaper as it had been directed.