Statista’s Press Freedom in Africa Index 2022 ranks South Africa third on the continent, with a score of 75.56, in terms of the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists. This score dropped three notches, from 78.41, in 2021. The comparative index is based on a definition of press freedom formulated by Reporters Without Borders, and a score ranging from 0 to 100 that is assigned to each country, with 100 being the best possible score and 0 being the worst.

While South Africa’s score points to a satisfactory situation on the rating scale, there is significant room for improvement. If the past decade were to serve as a reflection of the country’s level of press freedom in a democratic era – recalling well-publicised instances of persecution against members of the media for their reporting – we still have much to learn to properly preserve press freedom in its truest definition, which is:  “the effective possibility for journalists, to select, produce and disseminate news and information in the public interest, independently from political, economic, legal and social interference, and without threats to their physical and mental safety (Reporters Without Borders).” 

Today, in light of the above, we observe World Press Freedom Day. The Day was first proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1993 and is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom, and pay tribute to journalists who have risked and lost their lives in the line of duty. This year, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated under the theme: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights.” This year’s theme brings meaning to the way all people engage with and relate to the media.

For the Coega Development Corporation, the importance of press freedom takes on a unique meaning. The media becomes an intermediary to defend and express public distress,  while simultaneously providing an additional layer of security in terms of reporting on how the organisation manages and accounts for public funds. Alongside the Auditor-General of South Africa and the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, which confirm Coega’s Clean Audit status, the Press in its role as “watchdog”,  is an invaluable resource in terms of communicating what Coega does, in the context of societal impact, in a manner which the public understands and respects. 

According to a 2022 article by Corruption Watch quoting the Executive Director of the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), Mr. Reggy Moalusi, the harassment of journalists in South Africa is on the increase, particularly when it comes to aspects such as intimidation, harassment, and online bullying. The challenges faced by members of the media can never be understood by those who are not in the industry. In terms of stakeholder engagement, however, Coega Development Corporation understands and prioritises the need to engage with the professionals behind the bylines.

Our organisational vision is to be a catalyst for the championing of socio-economic development. A big part of achieving this vision, is ensuring that our local communities as well as the broader public, know about the projects we are spearheading and the services that we offer. For this very reason, the media is one of our key stakeholders. It is the media’s job to share accurate and truthful information. Coega’s Marketing and Communications Unit supports press freedom by making information as accessible as possible, so that it can be taken to the communities we aim to serve.

The voice of the media is the voice of the people, and the information shared by the media can be – to the extent of the Corporation’s media engagement and information-sharing activities – an amplification of Coega’s voice and vision.

The media landscape has had to evolve and adapt alongside technology, the same technology that has allowed us to monitor all reporting involving the Coega Development Corporation and its subsidiaries. In an age of disinformation and fake news, we rely heavily on the free press to share information that is credible. The latter is highly dependent on a thriving media industry. It is the responsibility of organisations to ensure the sustainability of the media industry through advertising and other funding models, over and above ensuring that the media has access to information for reporting purposes.

The influence of digital and social media cause strong competition for media income and impacts the ability of media outlets to generate revenue through print. The key is in identifying mutually beneficial opportunities, which can assist in the business of the media and in keeping media houses afloat. To reiterate, socio-economic development is what Coega aims to champion, and this extends to our interactions with the media. 

In March 2023, Coega hosted the first in a series of SANEF engagements titled “Building a Better Eastern Cape,” whereby our Chief Executive Officer, Mr Khwezi Tiya was interviewed by Ms. Rochelle de Kock, in her capacity as the Convener of SANEF Eastern Cape. This is one example of how organisations can support the media through credible and transparent dialogue. 

As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day against the backdrop of the 29th anniversary of the nation’s constitutional democratic dispensation, it is also important for us to reflect on the scope, progress, and impact of transformation in the media industry alongside transformation within the country.  

The main aim of transformation, as stated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in 1996, is to achieve equitable representation in the workforce across occupational levels, industries, and entrepreneurial enterprises (Alexander 2007). The media have a unique role within the politics of transformation. In fact, media organisations operate in dual positions - both as instruments of transformation and as sites of transformation. Importantly, the media serves as change agents of transformation by providing essential platforms for communication and development between government, corporations economic industries and the broader society. Governments and corporations such as the Coega Development Corporation rely on the media to not only inform, educate, and empower the citizens, but to also help facilitate communication and introduce change to the public. It is for this reason, that engaging with the media is so important.

On World Press Freedom Day, we salute the members of the press who continue to fulfil their duty in service to our democratic rights. It is fitting that I conclude with a passage from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa in a 2022 article titled Media Freedom in South Africa is a Cause for Optimism and Pride: “A free press is among the most significant dividends of our democracy, yet it is one that we perhaps take for granted the most.”