Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong has called on media practitioners and government communicators to uphold ethical, fact-based reporting in the build up to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Speaking at a media networking session on the eve of SONA, Morolong described the media as central to safeguarding democracy and strengthening social cohesion.
“As we gather here, we do so not merely as professionals but as custodians of our democracy, as architects of social cohesion and as stewards of our nation brand,” he said on Wednesday in Cape Town.
He noted that this year’s engagement takes place at a significant moment in the country’s democratic journey, marking 30 years of the Constitution, 25 years of democratic local government, and looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“These are not mere anniversaries. They are testament to the resilience of our democracy and the enduring power of a constitutional vision,” Morolong said.
Reflecting on the past three decades, the Deputy Minister acknowledged both progress and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2024 General Elections, which he said tested not only the country’s health systems and economy, but also its communication systems and social cohesion.
“The 2024 elections marked a significant chapter in our democratic journey. It demonstrated the resilience of our democracy and the maturity of our political discourse. It also highlighted something profound -- the critical role that public communication plays in facilitating democratic participation, in fostering informed debate and holding all those in power to account,” he said.
Morolong emphasised that in a diverse society such as South Africa, the media carries a unique responsibility.
“In a nation as diverse and beautiful as ours, media is not just a conveyor of information. It is a mirror that reflects who we are and the window that shows us what we can become,” the Deputy Minister said.
He urged media platforms to amplify diverse voices, challenge stereotypes, counter divisive narratives and foster a shared national identity, while maintaining robust debate that strengthens, rather than weakens, social bonds.
Addressing the role of digital platforms, Morolong described social media as “the double-edged sword of our lifetime.
"How do we ensure that the pursuit of likes, shares and followers does not come at the expense of the truth, accuracy and responsible communication? How do we harness the reach of influencers for nation building, while maintaining standards of credible information dissemination?” he asked.
He stressed that nation branding must be rooted in authenticity.
“Nation branding is not about creating false narratives and glossing over our challenges. It is about authentic storytelling that presents the full picture of who we are as a nation.”
Morolong warned of “deliberate attempts to damage South Africa’s international reputation” through false narratives and distorted representations, including exaggerated claims about violence and instability.
“These fabricated narratives, whether about widespread violence, alleged systematic persecution or grossly exaggerated accounts of crime and instability, have real consequences. They deter investment, undermine international confidence and most painfully, they erode the pride and hope of our citizens.”
Morolong commended South African media practitioners for defending the country’s image through “rigorous fact checking and evidence-based reporting”. He described such work as “patriotism at its finest, not blind loyalty that ignores problems, but informed advocacy that defends truth while working to address genuine, systematic challenges”.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections, Morolong said local government remains the sphere where citizens most directly experience governance. He called for strengthened communication capacity at municipal level, support for community media, and improved media literacy to combat misinformation, particularly around electoral processes.
On the relationship between government and the media, Morolong said it should be neither adversarial nor compliant, but built on mutual respect, shared commitment to the truth and "recognition of our complementary roles in serving the public interest".
As President Ramaphosa is set to outline government’s programme of action in SONA, Morolong said effective communication will be key to ensuring that it resonates with the lived realities of citizens.
“Let us commit to fact-based reporting and communication that builds public trust, inclusive storytelling that reflects the full diversity of our nation, ethical use of digital platforms that prioritises truth over virality, constructive engagement between media and government that serve the public trust.
“Our 30-year-old Constitution gave us the framework [and] our 25-year-old democratic local government brought governance closer to the people. Now, as we prepare for another round of Local Government Elections, we must ensure that our media landscape supports informed participation and strengthens the bonds of community,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
