Makoe claims that since the forum appealed the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) finding in August, it has “done nothing”, except “wait for a ruling”.
The FBJ’s appeal relates to a complaint lodged with the SAHRC in April 2007 by Katy Katopodis, group editor-in-chief of Primedia Broadcasting, who claimed that the FBJ’s exclusion of white journalists from an off-the-record briefing with ANC president Jacob Zuma amounted to unfair discrimination.
The SAHRC’s finding – which the FBJ appealed – recommended that the forum’s policy on membership be revisited. The SAHRC announced on Monday that it has dismissed the appeal, as “the appellant has failed to rebut the presumption of unfairness and find that the refusal to allow white journalists at the Imbizo amounts to unfair discrimination on the basis of race”.
Makoe says he has yet to see the ruling. “The HRC’s finding was not communicated with me. I don’t know how we will respond as yet. I have to meet with the FBJ committee to discuss the matter.”
