Motlanthe meets SA editors

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was scheduled to meet the SA National Editors' Forum on Friday to discuss the role of the media in South Africa.

Government spokesman Jimmy Manyi said the meeting would show the government was committed to ensuring that the country's media remained relevant.

"Among the key issues that will be discussed [at the meeting] is how media can contribute towards building a democratic society and an informed citizenry," he said in a statement.

"The meeting with Sanef signals government's commitment to ensuring that both government and the media remain relevant in their robust contributions towards the national developmental agenda."

Manyi said the government would "still remain committed to media freedom as enshrined in the constitution".

"Engagements of this kind are vital to our democracy, as they provide an opportunity for government... to reaffirm their commitment to working together to create a better life for all South Africans," he said.

The meeting was scheduled to continue on Saturday.