The African Youth Cafe calls on the police and other security agencies to conduct themselves impartially, professionally and observe the Constitutional Standards and Principles of Human Rights as required of them by Article 244 of the Constitution. The police must isolate the criminal elements who may infiltrate peaceful demonstrations. The use of force by security officers should be a last resort and must be necessary and proportionate.
PRINCIPLES ON RELEVANT|EFFECTIVE SUPPORT TO MEDIA AND THE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT
A well-functioning independent media system is critical to sustainable social and economic development, and a bulwark of peaceful, economically prosperous societies. Greater citizen engagement, stronger accountability and lower corruption are all attributable to the presence of professional news media. A vibrant news sector is also fundamental as the first line of defence against democratic backsliding and autocratisation, whose first step is often to undermine media freedom and financial viability. Credible news media provide sunlight on critical social, economic and political issues to ensure a well-informed civil society and accountability of industry and private interests