Media24, ex-editor fined for Jurie story

2011-12-08 09:35

Cape Town - Media24 and former Huisgenoot editor Esmare Weideman have to pay R75 000 in fines for publishing an article alleging sexual abuse by Afrikaans singer Jurie Els, according to a report in Beeld on Thursday.

The Western Cape High Court made the ruling on Wednesday, after Weideman and Media24 were found guilty of contempt of court in the Supreme Court of Appeal last year.

In February 2008 Huisgenoot published an article about Els, in which the singer Robbie Klay claimed he was molested by him. Els's name was not mentioned in the article, but he was named in the magazine's editorial.

Weideman has to pay a fine of R15 000 and Media24 R60 000, the high court ruled.

Judge Daniel Dlodlo said in his ruling that the independence of the media was a cornerstone of democracy, and that the courts would always protect and support media freedom.

Els has been acquitted on charges of molesting Klay.

- News24 is part of the Media24 group.

- SAPA