Sunday Independent has announced its immediate withdrawal from the Press Council of South Africa, citing concerns over media censorship and a curtailing of freedom of expression.
The decision comes after the Press Council denied an appeal against a ruling regarding an opinion piece authored by Edmond Phiri, a move Sunday Independent views as a suppression of diverse viewpoints.
In a media statement released on October 1, 2024, the publication expressed disappointment in the Press Council, accusing the body of abandoning its role as a defender of free speech. The ruling against the newspaper is described as biased and prejudicial, leading the publication to believe that the Council is no longer interested in ensuring a diversity of thought in South Africa's media landscape.
Final Independent Media - Request for Leave to Appeal - Karyn Maughan Complaint (20 August 2024) v2.Docx by lance.witten on Scribd
“The Press Council’s decision represents a betrayal of the very principles that underpin a free press in a democratic society,” the statement read, adding that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent by policing opinions that challenge the dominant liberal media narrative.
The publication criticised the Press Council for what it sees as a shift from protecting media freedom to enforcing censorship, warning that such actions could lead to the erosion of media independence in the country. “We refuse to allow the Sunday Independent to become a casualty of censorship masquerading as oversight,” the statement continued.
Media Statement - Sunday Independent by lance.witten on Scribd
The Sunday Independent reaffirmed its commitment to providing a platform for diverse opinions, stating that it would not be silenced by pressure to conform to prevailing viewpoints. It called on readers, media colleagues, and those who value free expression to stand together in defending media freedom.
The publication also urged readers with concerns about its content to contact its Public Editor, Aneez Salie, ensuring transparency and accountability in its editorial process, by emailing aneez.salie@inl.co.za.
Sunday Independent