New press code released

2011-10-10 13:16

Johannesburg - The press code governing print media has been tightened to root out ongoing irresponsible journalism, Press Ombudsman Joe Thloloe said on Monday.

Releasing the new code in Johannesburg, Thloloe said bad reporting was not rife but that the number of complaints had increased from 213 last year to an expected 300 for this year.

"It's rather isolated, it's not as if the South African press has gone out to be irresponsible," he said

Thloloe said the ANC had not made any submissions regarding any changes or additions to the code.

The code is part of the media profession's response to the ANC's proposal of instituting a media appeals tribunal to regulate the press.

- SAPA