- Two SABC employees, assignments editor Tumelo Matloha and logistics manager Michael Conradie, have died of Covid-19.
- Earlier in August, veteran sports journalist S'busiso Mseleku also died after contracting the virus.
- In May, Cape Town-based eNCA cameraman Lungile Tom died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.
The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of two SABC employees who recently died as a result of Covid-19.
On Sunday, it was announced that SABC assignments editor Tumelo Matloha and a logistics manager Michael Conradie had died.
In May, eNCA cameraman Lungile Tom died in hospital on after testing positive for Covid-19.
Earlier in August, veteran sports journalist S'busiso Mseleku also died after contracting the virus.
"Covid-19 has claimed the lives of three journalists to date and infected many more in news organisations throughout the country,” Sanef said in a statement.
"This highlights the dangers journalists and media workers face on a daily basis, both as frontline and essential workers. We thus call on all leaders in civil society, the corporate sector, government and community to support the role of the media and journalists.
"Given the pandemic and the current economic crises, the media industry has had to face serious commercial challenges that have resulted in hundreds of job losses with more expected in the next few months. The impact on the print industry in particular has been devastating."
Sanef said it would continue to monitor the climate under which journalists worked and that credible journalism was needed now more than ever, as was ethical and impartial reporting on all matters.
The body further called on media companies to assist journalists and media workers with protective gear and for journalists to be extra careful and to follow all safety precautions.
"We also call on media companies, where possible, to assist journalists with trauma counselling."
- Compiled by Alex Mitchley
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