The Presidency wishes to clarify perceptions that it was part of the alleged “privileged accreditation” surrounding President Jacob Zuma’s visit to the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban last week Saturday, 25 July 2009.
From what has been gathered, there seems to have been some confusion regarding accreditation rather than a deliberate attempt to exclude certain journalists.
President Zuma is, as a matter of principle and practice, committed to the free flow of information. He will not, therefore, sanction the exclusion of certain journalists during his public appearances.
The Presidency wishes to assure the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) and the public in general that it does not have a policy of “freezing out” particular journalists and/or media houses.
It is hoped that whatever misunderstanding might have occurred last Saturday will be resolved between SANEF and the event’s organisers.
Enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 082 835 6315
Issued by: The Presidency
31 July 2009
