The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

In a statement released by the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) yesterday concerning alleged media bias against the organisation, the League’s spokesperson, Floyd Shivambu, asked, “Why is Wilmot James, the Democratic Alliance Federal Chairperson a Director of News24, owner of City Press, and these right wing Newspapers?” (sic)

For the record, I am no longer a Director at Media24. I gave up the position in 2008 when I decided to enter the political arena with the Democratic Alliance (DA). I also resigned from the boards of SANLAM and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra at the time, so as to avoid any conflicts of interest that would arise by serving as both a company director and a political officeholder. This decision formally ended my relationship with those companies.

As for the charge that Media24 newspapers are “right wing”, I leave it to the newspapers to respond, but the charge appears baseless to me. We are fortunate in South Africa to have a free press that rigorously oversees and reports on the activities of political parties, such as the ANC and DA, and any other politically aligned organisations. Our press plays a crucial role in maintaining a transparent, democratic society.

The DA acknowledges the ANC Youth League’s important contribution to the political history of this country. It has a proud legacy which developed such leaders as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu. It also remains a legitimate voice in our political discourse today.

While the DA may disagree with many of the proposals that the ANCYL puts forward – just as we do with its parent organisation, the ANC – we hope that the Youth League will continue to build on this legacy by renewing its commitment to the promotion of democratic accountability, transparency and free speech – the very values that made it such a force when Nelson Mandela was its head.