Magaliesburg -The relationship between government and the media is not one that either of the parties can opt to be in or to stay out of, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Friday.
"It is an interdependent relationship in which each of the parties needs each other to achieve their respective and common objectives," he said ahead of a meeting between government and the South African Editors Forum (SANEF).
The meeting, called by the Presidency, to discuss the perceived deteriorating relations between government and the media, is expected to be characterised by a robust debate on the proposed media tribunal and the role of the media in South Africa, 15 years into democracy.
Among those attending the event are senior editors from media houses across the country, Cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.
The first day of the meeting was characterised by a jovial atmosphere with both parties joking about the proposed media tribunal and Protection of Information Bill which is currently under discussion.
Motlanthe said government remained "fully committed" to the Constitution and that it had no intention of doing anything that may undermine freedom of expression and freedom of the media to function effectively.
"The Constitution, as the supreme law of the Republic, provides necessary guarantees to prevent abuse of power," he said. Parliament may not pass legislation that is found to be in conflict with the Constitution and there was enough evidence to support this.
He called on those attending the meeting to debate whether enough was being done to promote a free and democratic society. "Do the people have unfettered access to the means to express their opinions? Do our media reflect the life experience and aspirations of the people," he questioned.
SANEF Chairperson Mondli Makhanya said earlier that the media would continue to fulfill its role as "watchdogs" while engaging in robust debate about what was best for South Africa. "We must accept that there will be difference, we will have tensions now and then but that does not lead to hostility," he said.
He added that journalists would continue to fight against what they perceived to be threats to media freedom in a democratic society.
