JOURNALISTS WARNED

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30745, 8 May 1965, Page 16

JOURNALISTS WARNED

“Watch Their Facts” (N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) JOHANNESBURG, May 7. South African journalists, accompanying the Springboks on their tour of Australia and New Zealand next month, have been warned to watch their facts.

Writers of “sensational” disclosures and other articles which are not based on fact will be asked to give explanations.

This was the message given by Dr. Danie Craven, president of the South African Rugby Board, when he met the Transvaal representatives of the South African Rugby Writers’ Association in Johannesburg yesterday. He said the Rugby Board had the right to ask certain Rugby writers to “stand on the carpet.”

Dr. Craven told the journalists, some of whom will travel with the Springboks on tour, they may write what they pleased “as long as your facts are right.” The board was “not untouchable.’ Its doors were open to the press at all times, and the board members were trying to establish close and friendly relations with reporters who covered Rugby. He made it clear that neither he nor the board could ban journalists from travelling overseas for a tour. But the board could ask the host country to withhold press box privileges and other conventional courtesies from sports writers if it so desired.