MMA and Sanef argued that the vetting of SABC journalists was intimidatory and put them “under watch” of the SSA. This was unconstitutional and violated the right to press freedom. Bird said the MMA had rejected this because it was completely at odds with media freedom and unacceptable: We won that battle ... So, for this to come up now, it’s a selective approach to get the editor in chief to comply with this when it’s that close to the elections.