REFILWE MEKOA
Some Bloemfontein residents believe that journalists have the right to be members of any political party of their choice, just like other South African citizens.
This comes after DA leader Helen Zille announced on Saturday that journalists cannot be members of political parties. Zille said most journalists were politically affiliated to some parties and it was evident in their writing.
Political Analyst Theo Venter shares the same sentiments.
“The moment you become a member of a political party, you cannot be objective. Everyone has their constitutional rights to be member of a political party or to associate with a certain party. But, when you’re in the media and you are a journalist, it is professional not to show that interest or make it public because then your legitimacy is gone,”
