African National Congress (ANC) provincial task team coordinator Hope Papo has accused the media of contributing to the party’s declining public trust, claiming that negative coverage unfairly portrays ANC leaders as synonymous with mismanagement and corruption. His remarks, made during a briefing on the party’s recent two-day Lekgotla outcomes, have drawn sharp criticism from media freedom advocates, who argue that the ANC should focus on internal accountability rather than shifting blame.

Papo argued that the media’s critical reporting has damaged the ANC’s reputation, particularly in highlighting failures in governance and service delivery. However, Anton Harber, executive director of the Campaign for Free Expression, dismissed the claim as a deflection tactic often used by embattled politicians.

“When politicians are in trouble, the first target of blame is always the media because it’s an easy and obvious target,” Harber said in an interview. “The ANC itself has admitted to problems of corruption and mismanagement—this isn’t a media creation, but a reflection of public sentiment.”

Harber compared Papo’s remarks to U.S. President Donald Trump’s adversarial relationship with the press, where critical media was frequently labeled as “fake news.” While South Africa has not reached that level of hostility, Harber warned against attempts to undermine the media’s watchdog role.

Critics of Papo’s stance pointed to the media’s crucial role in uncovering major scandals, including state capture and the Gupta leaks, which led to the Zondo Commission. Investigative reporting has also exposed failed infrastructure projects, such as incomplete hospitals and water schemes, where billions of rands were wasted while communities suffered.

“If we didn’t have a critical, independent media, our democracy would suffer,” Harber said. “The ANC’s loss of votes isn’t because of media bias—it’s because people see the reporting aligns with their lived experiences.”

Recent elections have shown declining support for the ANC, with voters increasingly holding the party accountable for corruption and poor service delivery. Harber argued that South Africans are more discerning than ever, rejecting attempts to blame the media for the party’s internal failures.

“Citizens have shown that if there is corruption and mismanagement, they will shift their votes,” he said. “This is a sign of a healthy democracy, not a media conspiracy.”

Instead of attacking the media, analysts suggest the ANC should address its governance failures head-on. Harber emphasized that improving the party’s relationship with the press will not change public perception unless tangible reforms are implemented.

“The solution isn’t to silence criticism but to take real action against corruption,” he said. “The media didn’t create these problems—the ANC’s own actions did.”

The ANC faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence. However, as this debate highlights, blaming the media may only further alienate voters who demand accountability over excuses.