The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) in conjunction with the Social Justice Initiative (SJI) is inviting applications for emergency funding for journalists who have lost their livelihoods as a direct result of the Covid-19 national disaster.
SANEF has received donations from MTN South Africa, First Rand, Yellow Woods, Allan Gray, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Open Society Foundation and Old Mutual and a number of individuals for journalists in crisis to distribute as emergency funding in this time of need. SANEF has set up a team of industry stalwarts including representatives from the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) and the freelancers’ association (SAFREA) to process the applications.
Practising journalists who have not received retrenchment packages, freelance or contract journalists who have been retrenched or had their contracts cancelled from the date of implementation of the national lockdown on 26 March 2020 and thereafter as a result of Covid-19, photographers, print, broadcast and multimedia journalists are all included.
The purpose of the funding is to assist those in dire need with a small donation of R5000 to purchase necessities like food and clothing. The independent panel will adjudicate all applications and award a fixed amount to each applicant who qualifies for the once-off payment. The panel’s decision is final, and no
correspondence will be entered into.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 30 September 2020.