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.

The SA National Editors' Forum is concerned at the manner in which the media was restricted at the African National Congress's National Governing Council (NGC) meetings in Durban last week. SANEF notes that many of the sessions were conducted behind closed doors, preventing journalists from covering the meetings and mingling freely with delegates.

When President Jacob Zuma visited the business exhibition, the media was allowed to accompany only after a ban on their presence had been initially imposed and then lifted. We also note with concern that this measures did not apply to the SABC journalists in the first instance. Furthermore journalists were hedged by police into a kind of closed corral-like arrangement which enabled them to follow Zuma's progress at arms length which inhibited their news gathering including the taking of pictures.

The conference meeting rooms were separated from the media centre by a lengthy walk and strict security check points, thereby restricting the media's coverage. While the media appreciated the contents of ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe's highly critical report on the state of the ANC and the conduct of its affairs being made available to the media after a closed session, there were too many closed door sessions that followed.

Sanef recognises that there would be certain sessions that would be conducted behind closed doors but in the spirit of the "new transparent and open South Africa" these were excessive.

This conduct confirms the worrying trend towards making South Africa a closed society.