Cape Town - The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the actions by members believed to be from the Black First Land First (BLF) outside the home of Peter Bruce, the editor at large of the Tiso Blackstar Group.
On Thursday morning, around 20 BLF members shouted slogans outside the house and reportedly made intimidating statements towards Bruce.
'Land or death' was scrawled on the garage door of the house.
It is alleged that this protest was a statement opposing Bruce's views.
"This manner of handling differences is an antithesis to the tolerant society appreciative of divergent views we seek to build. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees every person in the country the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom of the press and other media as well as the freedom to receive and impart information or ideas," the ANC said in a statement.
The ANC said that where the media sees hypocrisy and dishonesty by government, the ANC or any other political party, the media should speak out.
The South African Press Code enjoins media practitioners to uphold the highest ethical standards, “maintain credibility and keep the trust of the public," and remains the current platform created to ensure media accountability necessary to shape a democratic society, not intimidation and violence.
The party also called on law enforcement agencies to probe this matter and act where there are grounds to do so.