Issued by: GCIS
27 April 2002
Meeting was held yesterday between the GCIS, the Presidency and the Interim Committee of the Presidential Press Corps (PPC). The following was noted: The preamble of the Way Forward document adopted at the Cabinet-SANEF Indaba: "The Cabinet-Sanef Indaba represented a historic moment in the relationship between government and the media. "Delegates noted a spirit of robust, candid and open dialogue between government and the media.
Notwithstanding the opportunities lost in not having met earlier, we believe the lesson is that dialogue should become a continuous and ongoing feature of our democracy. "This dialogue is vital for the sustenance of our democracy and the ideals of our constitution and founding settlement. "The significance of the indaba was reflected in the presence of the President and Cabinet Ministers, plus a large number of the country's editors and senior media professionals." "Both sides accepted the challenges of democratic transformation in South Africa, embraced the constitution as the central reference point of our dialogue and engaged on issues of public interest and national importance. "The intention in establishing the PPC is to provide members with as much unhindered access to the President as possible.
The PPC will not replace existing interactions between the Presidency and local and foreign media. The meeting agreed that the Interim Committee, the GCIS and the Presidency would draft a set of ground rules for the operation of the PPC, based on consultation around the following issues and others that role-players may identify: The independence of the media within the context of the PPC.
Financial implications for news organisations of logistical arrangements, such as office space, cost of communications, accommodation and travel. Off/on-the-record status of briefings and other forms of information. Pooling arrangements. On security clearance, both sides agreed that: A security clearance procedure was necessary to ensure the safety of the President. That security clearance would facilitate as much unhindered access as possible to the President.
Government briefed the meeting on this week’s briefing by the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency to the portfolio committee on intelligence on the question of security clearance procedures for PPC nominees, the need for which was appreciated amongst the parties represented on the committee.
Government clarified that the security clearance procedure required PPC nominees to complete a questionnaire.
Where necessary, further information will be requested. Both sides noted the public undertaking given by the Minister of Intelligence that insensitive and unsavoury questions would not form part of the process. Government indicated that applicants to the PPC would not be required to undergo polygraph tests. Both parties committed to finalising consultations on outstanding issues as speedily as possible and in the spirit of co-operation that characterised the Cabinet/Sanef Indaba at Sun City.
The PPC will be formally launched as soon as these consultations have been completed.
Issued by the GCIS, the Presidency and the Presidential Press Corps Interim Committee 27 April 2002
Enquiries:
Nad Pillay, Director: International and Media Liaison, GCIS (082 553 79 80)
Nazeem Mahatey, Director: Communications Research, Presidency (082 376 38 20)
Tyrone Seale, Chairperson, Presidential Press Corps Interim Committee (083 290 57 69)