South African Government Vows to Enhance Media Engagement Amid Concerns

In South Africa, the relationship between government bodies and the press is paramount for the flow of accurate information to the public. Recently, this relationship faced scrutiny as concerns were raised regarding government communicators’ non-responsiveness to media queries. Governments's commitment to change comes in the wake of published discontent about an underwhelming 37.5% response rate from government ministries to media comments. This statistic reflects on the efficiency and transparency of the information pipeline from South African governance to its citizens.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), serving as the primary liaison between government entities and the media, has stepped up to address these concerns. Acknowledging the necessity of swift and precise communication, GCIS supports building and maintaining a robust and transparent relationship with the media.

GCIS’s dedication to improving media ties stems from governmental policies and the unequivocal need for mutual respect and understanding. The government communications policy, mandated by the cabinet in 2018, underscores the expectations regarding how government communicators should interact with the media.

Evidently, the problem has been compounded by staffing shifts within agencies, as media liaison officers and communicators transition between organizations. Transitional phases are often blame-worthy for communication bottlenecks. GCIS has embraced a proactive approach to this issue—committing to comprehensive orientation and training for new and existing communication personnel to ensure consistency in media interactions.

Reiteration of the government's zeal to mend fences comes with an invitation to media professionals. GCIS puts forth a call to action for journalists facing challenges with media queries to reach out. They promise to champion the cause, assuring that media engagement officials will expedite responsiveness and facilitate discussions around deadlines and the quality of responses.

In light of these commitments, the government's resolution to these highlighted concerns serves both democracy and the right to free and open information. Delays and non-responsiveness are obstacles to be overcome, with the hope of nurturing a more harmonious relationship between South Africa’s administration and the media.