SECTOR 1 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear Fear of retribution from powerful individuals is a constant concern for journalists who are in possession of sensitive information. A recent example given was that of the ‘#Guptaleaks’ story, where in a collaborative effort, News24 as well as the independent investigative journalism non-profit amaBhungane and the Daily Maverick’s investigative unit, Scorpio, had access to hundreds of thousands of emails and other documents linked to the Gupta family’s alleged power (state capture) over South Africa and its leaders. The publications kept the information for some time before releasing it, following the Sunday Times newspaper breaking the story and the accuracy of the evidence being determined. Whistle-blowers fear for their safety in many instances; an example being the notorious Glebelands hostel murders in KwaZulu-Natal, in which more than 100 people were killed over the allocation of accommodation. ‘This was a real life-and-death situation in which people were killed while others’ lives were threatened. An environment of fear and persecution still remains today.’ ‘Journalists do tend to practise their right to freedom to expression, but it is not without far.’ Mention was made of Sunday Times journalist, Qaanitah Hunter, being sent an image of a toy gun inscribed with the words “Stay Classy”, by the secretary general of the ANC Women’s League, Meokgo Matuba. Hunter was investigating an alleged plot by high-ranking, pro-Zuma ANC officials to overthrow President Cyril Ramaphosa. Matuba later denied she had sent the image, which had been traced to her phone, saying someone else must have used her phone to send the message. ‘This was clearly meant as a death threat for the journalist. In any other advanced democracy this would not happen without someone being sent to Siberia [prison]. I was horrified by the lack of action by [Sunday Times owner, formerly Times Media Limited] Tiso Blackstar.’ Panellists also mentioned authors who exposed various political and other wrongdoings such as Jacques Pauw, who in 2017 published The President’s Keepers: Those Keeping Zuma in Power and Out of Prison. In August 2018, Chris Steyn and Mark Minnie’s The Lost Boys of Bird Island, detailed chilling accounts of alleged sexual abuse of coloured teenagers by apartheid government ministers. A week after the book was published, Minnie was found dead with a shotgun wound to his head, with an apparent suicide note nearby. In Jackie Phamotse‘s 2017 novel Bare: The Blesser’s Game, she accounts her experience of gang rape, allegedly by five men, including one who became a deputy minister. She also claimed to have received death threats. 11 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2018