Communications minister Faith Muthambi has launched a scathing attack on South African media companies and journalists, accusing them of having an agenda against the ruling ANC.
She told MPs in parliament on Friday that South African media outlets would “rather focus on scandalising government, even if that means not getting all the facts right”.
“To sell [their publications], media houses’ main mission is to paint this government as corrupt, helpless and inept,” she said.
“It could also be argued that racist tendencies also play a role in … stigmatising this black government led by the ANC,” the minister continued.
“It has now become common cause that the independence and professionalism of many journalists is now measured on how ruthless their reporting can be about this ANC-led government.”
She told parliament that media houses were failing to attend post-cabinet briefings, for which government provides facilities in both Cape Town and Pretoria.
She said these briefings provide “insightful content” on the business of government and should be better attended by journalists.
A media transformation policy will be crucial in addressing the problems in South African media, she added.
Transformation will be “there to address not only print media ownership but also ownership of the printing press, the measurement of circulation, distribution channels and the assessment of regulatory instruments to regulate the affairs of media practitioners”, Muthambi warned. — © 2016 NewsCentral Media