The African National Congress (ANC) has for over many decades championed the freedom of the press. We have played a major role in shaping the country's Constitution, which protects press freedom among other rights.

Due to our commitment to constitutional democracy, South Africa ranks high among countries where journalists enjoy freedom of the press.

We have during the apartheid years, vigorously campaigned for the freedom of the press and the unbanning of progressive newspapers and journalists. We still firmly believe that the press have an important role to play in deepening our democracy and advancing the values as espoused in our constitution. No one will be allowed to temper with that right.

While the ANC will not deviate from ensuring an atmosphere of a vibrant free press in South Africa, it will equally challenge any abuse of this freedom. Abuse of press freedom is no different to the abuse of other freedoms protected by the Constitution.

Some of the Newspapers, who today wish to lecture us on press freedom, where loyally serving as the mouthpiece of the apartheid regime and staunchly espoused and entrenched apartheid misrule. They should be the last ones to tell us about press freedom, because we are not only ready to fight for rights enshrined in our Constitution, which includes the freedom of the press, we are also ready to defend it.

The ANC will, and never has in the past, issued any instruction that seek to violate this right. It is the right of any institution to make use of any service provider that they wish to use , in accordance with the supply chain legislation and regulations.

The Democratic Alliance is seeking to score cheap political points by hijacking this issue and making it a political issue. But who can blame them, they don’t have a political programme, that is why they make noise about a non-issue. Because the management of the Plattelander spoke to us about this issue and we have clarified ourselves with them.

ISSUED BY : Monwabisi Nkompela ( 0741280169)

Media & Publicity for the ANC NC.