A coalition of media freedom organizations issued a joint statement condemning attacks on foreign nationals and the targeting of journalists covering anti-migrant protests in South Africa. The statement was issued ahead of a June 30 deadline set by the group 'March and March'.

The coalition called on 'March and March' leaders to end unlawful action, stop threatening journalists, and reject conduct exposing journalists to intimidation or violence. The group urged political parties supporting the campaign to distance themselves from threats against journalists and rhetoric inciting hostility or violence against foreign nationals.

The coalition called on authorities to protect foreign nationals and journalists, ensure journalists can work safely and without interference, and hold those responsible for threats, assaults, and incitement to violence to account. Journalists covering the protests have faced threats, physical intimidation, obstruction, demands to delete footage, attempts to seize equipment, and threats of violence.

The group 'March and March' used social media to identify journalists and encourage supporters to do the same. The killing of Mishack Banda, a 29-year-old Malawian father, in Pietermaritzburg on June 19, heightened concerns about wider unrest.