In 2026, the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) will mark its 30th anniversary. This milestone provides a timely opportunity to critically examine the organisation’s contribution to South Africa’s media landscape, its role in shaping sociocultural and sociopolitical discourse, and its impact on journalistic practices in the country. This edited volume seeks to bring together diverse perspectives from academics, journalists, media practitioners, legal experts, historians, political scientists, civil society activists and cultural commentators to reflect on SANEF’s journey over the past 30 years.
Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Media Freedom and Ethics
- SANEF’s role in protecting press freedom amid political and corporate pressures
- Responses to threats against journalists and freedom of expression
- SANEF’s impact on journalistic ethics, misinformation, and fact-checking
- Navigating digital journalism, social media, and new technologies
- SANEF’s response to global attacks and murders of journalists
- Transformation and Representation
- SANEF’s efforts to diversify the media and address structural inequalities
- The organisation’s role in covering key social and political issues, including elections, corruption and inequality
- Key Figures, Initiatives and Awards
- Profiles of influential SANEF leaders and journalists
- Evaluations of SANEF’s key campaigns and advocacy efforts
- The impact of SANEF’s awards on journalistic excellence
- SANEF’s Influence and Relationships
- SANEF’s engagement with government and policymakers on media-related issues
- International collaborations to advance press freedom and journalist protection
- Training and the Future of Media
- SANEF’s contribution to journalism training and professional development
- The future of media sustainability, innovation, and press freedom in South Africa
Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts (max. 500 words) due by 10 March 2025 (send to snkoala@uwc.ac.za)
- Full papers (6,000–7,000 words) due by 31 July 2025
- All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review
- Accepted academics will be expected to participate as reviewers
Authors of accepted chapters will be invited to participate in a hybrid symposium to be held in the second half of 2025. This symposium will provide a platform for authors to present their work, engage in discussions with fellow contributors and experts in the field, and contribute to a broader conversation on the past, present, and future of SANEF. Further details regarding the symposium, including dates, format, and registration information, will be communicated in due course.
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