Sanef calls on eThekwini council to end meeting news clampdown

THE SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) yesterday called on the eThekwini Council to drop the proposed new rules of order which may see journalists barred from certain meetings.

Sanef said in a statement it was concerned about the council’s plans to introduce new rules of order which would deny access by reporters to some meetings. Sanef KwaZulu-Natal convener Judy Sandison said: “There can be no doubt that the restrictions contemplated would be unconstitutional which would result in the council acting illegally.”

She said the council already had the right to restrict access in certain exceptional circumstances and that further restrictions would have the result of reducing the public’s right to know about decisions and information that affected their lives. – ANA