Following our announcement yesterday regarding the formal
withdrawal of Independent Media (Pty) Ltd and Independent Online (IOL), from the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA), we note the Council’s disingenuous claim that they have “expelled” us. Let it be known: Independent Media and IOL elected to withdraw from the PCSA, following the Council’s biased handling of our matters and the broader issues outlined in our previous statement. The PCSA’s so-called “expulsion” is, therefore, of no consequence and is merely a public relations maneuver to obscure the truth.
We wish to make the following clear:
- The PCSA is NOT a statutory body
The PCSA holds no official regulatory authority. It is a voluntary association, not a statutory or legal entity, and thus has no jurisdiction over any media entity that chooses not to be affiliated with it. Independent Media and IOL reserve the right to regulate themselves, in alignment with global media best practices, and reject any presumption of the PCSA’s authority over our operations. - The PCSA is dominated by detractors of Independent Media
A significant portion of the PCSA’s office bearers have connections to Naspers/Media24, our primary competitor. These individuals, many of whom hold prominent positions within the Council, raise legitimate concerns over the impartiality of the PCSA. We cannot help but question whether they have been strategically positioned to reinstate apartheid-style censorship, aimed at silencing diverse and independent voices like ours. Independent Media and IOL categorically reject this attempt to stifle press freedom and assert that we will never tolerate or succumb to such oppressive forces. - We will not rejoin the PCSA
Independent Media and IOL have no intention of rejoining the PCSA. The Council’s leadership, dominated by individuals with vested interests and ties to our competitors, acts in the interests of their members and funders, many of whom seek to undermine us. We remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the independence of our journalism and maintaining the trust of the public we serve. - Reintroduction of the Independent Media Group Ombudsman Office
To ensure accountability and transparency, Independent Media is reintroducing its Group Ombudsman office (“Ombud”), which was in place for five years before we joined the PCSA. The reestablishment of this office reflects our unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity and responsible media practices.
The Office of the Group Ombud (“Ombud”) is a regulatory institution within Independent Media tasked with overseeing media-related complaints, ensuring accountability, and upholding ethical journalistic standards. Its primary objective is to protect the public interest by promoting responsible journalism, safeguarding the rights of individuals, and fostering transparency in our media operations. By setting clear guidelines and standards for reporting, the Ombud plays a crucial role in balancing freedom of expression with responsible communication, thus maintaining the integrity of Independent Media’s reporting.
- Aneez Salie, former Editor-in-Chief and Editor of the Cape Times, will chair the Ombud’s adjudication panel. With decades of experience in leading newsrooms and advocating for press freedom, Salie will ensure that all complaints are adjudicated fairly and transparently.
- Ighsaan Higgins, a respected attorney known for his expertise in media law, will head the Ombud’s appeals panel. Higgins’ experience in legal matters ensures that the appeals process will be conducted with the highest level of professionalism and impartiality.
Media houses around the world regulate themselves through their own internal press ombudsman offices. Prestigious institutions like The Guardian in the UK and The New York Times in the US maintain their own systems of self-regulation, which is globally recognized as an effective and responsible way to ensure accountability. Independent Media and IOL’s decision to reintroduce its Ombud office is fully aligned with this internationally accepted practice of media self-regulation. We stand resolute in our mission to deliver independent journalism that champions the voices of the marginalized, promotes diverse perspectives, and upholds the values of free expression. With the reinstatement of our Group Ombudsman office, Independent Media and IOL continue to hold ourselves accountable to the highest journalistic standards, without bowing to external pressures or censorship.
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