Parliament, Thursday, 30 July 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko, has noted with concern reports that journalists and other employees at the Daily Dispatch and the Herald have not received their July salaries.
Ms Diko said it is unacceptable that journalists, who play a critical role in safeguarding democracy and keeping the public informed, should bear the consequences of commercial- or ownership-related disputes.
“Journalists cannot be expected to continue serving the public while facing challenges about the sustainability of their own livelihoods. Those who continue to report under these difficult circumstances deserve to be paid for their work, and any outstanding salaries must be settled without further delay,” said Ms Diko.
She, however, welcomed the reported undertaking by Ubuntu Media Holdings to resolve the matter urgently and called on the company to honour its commitment.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MS KHUSELA DIKO SANGONI.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Justice Molafo
Mobile: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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