Parliament and the media should continue to hold discussions together on issues of mutual interest and there was an “open door” policy of engagement with media organisations.

This was the message from Parliament’s Presiding Officers – NA Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Ms Thandi Modise and Deputy NA Speaker Mr Lechesa Tsenoli – to the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) during a meeting with them this morning.

Secretary to Parliament Mr Gengezi Mgidlana also attended the meeting.

The Sanef was represented by Mr Bongani Siqoko (Deputy Chairperson), Mr Mathatha Tsedu (Executive Director), Mr Adriaan Basson (Media Freedom Subcommittee Chairperson) and Ms Janet Heard Western Cape Regional Convenor).

This morning’s meeting was arranged at the request of the Sanef which wanted to discuss its concerns about the mobile phone signal jamming incident in the NA Chamber on 12 February and the content of Parliament’s broadcast feed of House sittings, made available to media.

Both issues are the subject of court proceedings being brought by the Sanef and which Parliament is defending.

The meeting was, therefore, not in a position to discuss the issues at this stage but it was agreed discussion could occur once court proceedings were concluded. The Presiding Officers reiterated their strong disapproval of the jamming incident and emphasised, again, that the media had not been targeted.

The Sanef accepted both the assurance by the Presiding Officers on the jamming and welcomed the spirit in which discussions took place.

The Presiding Officers last met with the Sanef and senior journalists in September 2014 and after this, with members of the Press Gallery Association (PGA). In January, Parliamentary officials met both media organisations to provide a comprehensive overview of the current constitutional, legal and policy framework within which filming and broadcasting of Parliamentary proceedings occur and to discuss this. Both the Sanef and PGA wanted an urgent review of the policy and it was agreed that a written submission would be made for Parliament to consider.

Issued by Parliament of RSA