Media Announcement

26 February 2014

Re: Break of Embargo Rule by Dow Jones Journalist

Wall Street Journal- Dow Jones journalist recently attended the embargoed release of the GDP results of the last quarter of 2013 at Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) offices and violated the rules of the embargo by releasing the data 22 minutes before the embargo was lifted. It is common knowledge within the economic media fraternity that the session is embargoed and this is clearly announced at the beginning of the proceedings.

This incidence not only caused disharmony within the electronic media space but gave unfair advantage over media that was represented at the session to report on the data and also violates the Statistics Act 6 of 1999 as well as the United Nations Fundamental Principles for Official Statistics which is the basis of the Stats Act.

Stats SA has continuously enjoyed a relationship of trust with media on such sensitive data hence this situation threatens the relationship that we have built with the economic journalists over the years. Stats SA is currently reviewing extensive measures that will be instituted to ensure that such digressions are eliminated since the belief held by the organisation that we operate within a professional media environment that respects their professional ethics and that of Stats SA remain suspect.

Stats SA regrets this unfortunate incident and views it as a serious case of contempt of our professional ethics and has thus barred Wall Street Journal- Dow Jones from all forthcoming media events of the organisation until 30 June 2014.

Trevor Oosterwyk

Stats SA Head of Communications

Media Enquiries: Lesedi Dibakwane

0828057088