SA media tribunal wars: is that an armistice we see?

A joint indaba between the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) and Government this past weekend yielded some surprising results - the most important of them being a call by the deputy president for cooler heads. If only that had been the case from the very beginning.

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe says the media is going to be given some time to tighten up its own self-regulation mechanisms before the ANC moves to set up a media appeals tribunal. But there have been so many different voices on this debate from within the ANC itself, it is difficult to know if he actually means it - and are his thoughts shared by the rest of the ruling party.

... On one level, what Motlanthe has said is eminently more fair and correct. He's basically saying: Put your house in order. But he could also be adding, "... or we'll do it for you". On balance, though, knowing Motlanthe's track record, what he's really saying is, "Look, we'll hold off on this, but give me something to work with here, come to the party."

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About Stephen Grootes: @StephenGrootes

Stephen Grootes is political reporter for Eyewitness News (www.ewn.co.za) and contributing editor for Business Day (www.businessday.co.za). He used to write for The Daily Maverick (www.thedailymaverick.co.za). Follow him on Twitter at @StephenGrootes.
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