Zuma: New Age a breath of fresh air

2011-01-09 00:39

Durban - The New Age newspaper will be a breath of fresh air with balanced reporting, said President Jacob Zuma on Saturday in Durban.

"It's important what the editor of the paper was saying in which he declared (it) as a newspaper that will report balance and fairness.

"We appreciate this and believe that it's a new breath of fresh air in terms of the media because of the number of debates we have had on the way the media should report," said Zuma speaking at the New Age Friendship gala dinner held in Durban.

Zuma was accompanied by an entourage of ministers who flew into Durban from Polokwane where the ANC held its 99th Anniversary on Saturday.

Ministers attending the function were Rural Development Minister Tokyo Sexwale, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele, Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize.

Zuma thanked the New Age group for hosting the event on the eve of the Pro20 cricket match between South Africa and India which will be held in Durban on Sunday.

A new chapter

"I would like to thank the New Age for hosting this dinner on the eve of activities taking place tomorrow (Sunday)."

The New Age newspaper hosted the dinner to celebrate the 150 years of friendship between South Africa and India.

Zuma said the New Age would introduce a new chapter of reporting which will be something very good.

"The editor will show us something new, a new chapter of reporting.

"There are many good things that happen in this country that are not reported on," he said.

Zuma said part of the struggle against apartheid was to fight for media freedom and the ANC would continue to do this but as a party it would not keep quiet if things were not in order.

Last year the ANC sparked off a number of debates when it announced that it wanted to introduce the Media Appeals Tribunal which could see journalists facing time in prison for disclosing certain information.

- SAPA