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Parliament welcomes the ruling of the Press Ombudsman on its complaint against the Daily Maverick story of 22 May 2017, headlined: “Securocracy, Parliament edition: Where the ceilings have eyes”.

The institution lodged its complaint on 29 May arguing that the Daily Maverick’s article breached various provisions of the code of ethics and conduct for South African print and online media. Sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the Code, in particular, direct the media to seek the views of the subject of critical reportage and to ensure that news is reported truthfully, accurately and fairly.

The Daily Maverick article made seriously damaging and untruthful claims regarding the “securitisation” of Parliament, without providing the institution with an opportunity to respond in advance of publication, as stipulated in the Code.

The Press Ombudsman has directed the Daily Maverick to apologise to Parliament for neglecting to give it the right of reply before publication about:

• police investigators entering the Parliamentary precinct unlawfully and unannounced;
• presence of cameras other than official cameras to broadcast proceedings in the ceilings of the institution; and
• suggesting securitisation of the institution.

Parliament is satisfied with the ruling of the Ombudsman and hopes that the Daily Maverick, which ordinarily exercises due diligence regarding fairness and accuracy, will learn from its serious error of judgment.

Issued by Parliament of the Republic of South Africa