Members of the international and local press corps waited to record President Yar'Adua's first state visit to South Africa. In the background is a statue of Louis Botha, Afrikaner fighter against British colonialism, on horseback. (Photo Courtesy AllAfrica)

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) at its Annual General Meeting in Johannesburg on 24 – 25 July 2010, expressed its strong rejection of renewed proposals for a state-appointed tribunal and a growing slate of new legislation that is hostile to the free flow of information to South Africans.

SANEF resolved to work with other like-minded groups in a campaign for public support for media freedom.

The tribunal concept was debated at the ANC's Polokwane conference and will be tabled at the party's National General Council in September.

SANEF points out that the proposed tribunal would go against the existing system of self-regulation which involves the media and members of the public, and would be unconstitutional.

SANEF reaffirmed its commitment to the Press Council and Press Ombudsman system, which deals effectively with public complaints. It resolved to continue efforts to increase public knowledge of the system and to improve citizens' access to it.

The Forum expressed its support for the Press Council Code of Conduct and encouraged editors to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violations.

At a prestigious function on Saturday night, the keynote speaker, Justice and Constitutional Development minister Jeff Radebe said the government would not undermine the constitution when it enacted laws: "We will not enact any laws detrimental to your cause ... I will ensure that any law that comes into being must be in conformity with our constitution."

Veteran journalist Terry Bell was announced as the winner of the 2010 Nat Nakasa Award for courageous journalism. The SANEF-WROTTESLEY Award, a peer recognition award, was presented to Raymond Louw, Editor and Publisher of Southern Africa Report for extraordinary commitment to the achievement of SANEF's goals.

Sanef 2010 - 2012 Council was elected as follows:

Mondli Makhanya, Editor-in-Chief of Avusa Media was elected as Chairperson, Mary Papayya, Bureau Chief of Sowetan in KwaZulu-Natal elected at Deputy Chairperson. Gaye Davis, Group Deputy Political Editor of Independent Newspapers was elected as Secretary-General and Juanita Williams who joins Zoopy.com as news editor in August, was re-elected as Sanef Treasurer.