AfriForum wants SSA and DIRCO to provide details of alleged media coverage against the organisation

AfriForum has filed formal access-to-information requests with the State Security Agency (SSA) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), alleging that State funds may have been used to influence media coverage against the organisation.

The civil rights group is calling for the disclosure of any journalists, academics, or commentators it claims are being paid by the State to shape public opinion.

AfriForum said that the two departments now have 30 days to respond, or the matter will be taken to the information regulator and the courts.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said the requests follow claims by a former journalist, who alleges that two well-known media figures are receiving State payments to discredit the organisation and promote a positive image of government.

Kriel said that these concerns are backed by multiple Press Ombudsman rulings this year, where media houses were ordered to retract and apologise for false reporting about AfriForum.

"These allegations are in line with AfriForum’s experience since February this year, when an orchestrated campaign started to try and discredit AfriForum with lies.”

AfriForum maintains that any attempt to silence or undermine it will fail and said that it will pursue the matter through all available legal channels.

The SSA and DIRCO have not yet responded to the allegations.