Media freedom groups warn journalists and migrants face rising threats ahead of June 30 protests

A coalition of South Africa’s leading media freedom organisations has warned that journalists covering the nationwide demonstrations planned for 30 June are increasingly becoming targets of intimidation, harassment and threats, alongside foreign nationals at the centre of the unrest.

What the coalition says

In a joint statement issued on Monday, the organisations condemned what they described as escalating attacks on migrants and growing attempts to silence reporters documenting the unfolding events. The coalition said the situation has become increasingly volatile following recent protests and violent incidents, including the killing of 29-year-old Malawian national Mishack Banda in Pietermaritzburg on June 19.

Incidents targeting the media

The coalition said journalists covering these demonstrations have been subjected to intimidation, physical obstruction and threats aimed at preventing them from reporting. It detailed instances in which reporters had faced demands to delete footage, attempts to seize equipment, and threats of violence for documenting attacks.

“Recent protests and incidents of violence, including assaults and the killing of Mishack Banda, have heightened concerns about the risk of wider unrest,” the coalition said.

Social media and direct targeting

The statement accused the protest movement March and March of using social media to single out individual journalists and of encouraging supporters to identify and target members of the media. The coalition said several journalists subsequently reported intimidation, harassment and what it described as criminal incitement to harm them following those posts.

“March and March has also used social media platforms to identify individual journalists and encouraged supporters to do the same in a blatant attempt to intimidate and harass them,” the statement said.

Calls to action

The organisations called on March and March to immediately stop publicly targeting journalists and urged political parties and public representatives supporting the campaign to distance themselves from rhetoric that could fuel hostility or violence. They also urged law enforcement agencies to protect both vulnerable communities and journalists covering the protests.

“Law enforcement agencies must ensure that everyone is protected from violence and intimidation, that journalists can work safely and without interference, and that those responsible for threats, intimidation, assaults and incitement to violence are investigated, arrested and held accountable.”

Why media protection matters, the coalition says

The coalition argued that attacks on journalists undermine public accountability during periods of heightened tension. “Independent reporting is especially vital at moments of heightened tension and uncertainty,” the statement said, adding that efforts to intimidate reporters deprive the public of critical information and can create conditions in which violence and impunity thrive.

The organisations reiterated that everyone in South Africa, regardless of nationality or immigration status, is entitled to equal protection under the law and warned that public frustrations cannot justify vigilantism or attacks on vulnerable people.