Monday 2 August, 2010 - 23:07
The South African chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA - SA) has added its voice to those calling for the withdrawal of the Protection of Information Bill.
MISA – SA says it is deeply concerned about a number of provisions in the Bill which provides for penalties that could ensnare journalists and subject them to jail terms.
Monday 2 August, 2010 - 22:49
Lawmakers have warned again that the Protection of Information Bill will not survive Constitutional Court scrutiny because it rides roughshod over media freedom and the democratic values of transparency and accountability.
Dario Milo, a partner at Webber Wentzel law firm making a representation on behalf of Print Media South Africa, points out that, "The ones (clauses) I have highlighted are clearly unconstitutional and the Constitutional Court would strike them down."
Monday 2 August, 2010 - 15:37
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) will request a meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) to have a ‘decent conversation’ about media freedom.
SANEF chairperson, Mondli Makhanya, points out that, "There seems to be a huge gulf that has developed between the ANC and the media. We want to sit down with them and a have a decent conversation."
Monday 26 July, 2010 - 20:22
The South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF) has expressed its ‘strong rejection’ of renewed proposals for a state-appointed tribunal and a growing slate of new legislation that is ‘hostile’ to the free flow of information to South Africans.
In a statement following its annual general meeting in Johannesburg, SANEF points out that the proposed tribunal will go against the existing system of self-regulation which involves the media and members of the public, and will be unconstitutional.
Tuesday 18 May, 2010 - 11:04
NGOs from Africa have called upon the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) to urge member states to abolish repressive laws which continue to suppress freedom of expression.
Tuesday 27 April, 2010 - 9:47
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) could face legal action if it does not reconsider its decision to give companies just three weeks to apply for the new digital mobile television service licence.
The latest comes after black-owned Mobile TV Consortium wrote to ICASA chairperson, Paris Mashile, objecting to the 7 May deadline.
Tuesday 30 March, 2010 - 14:47
The Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) director, William Bird, says journalists are not employed as public officials but are there to monitor those who are.
Speaking at a SAFM discussion programme, the After Eight Debate, on the topic of this recent "harassment" of the media, Bird argued that, “The Press Council, Media Monitoring Africa, the Freedom of Expression Institute and various others" – are there in a watchdog role over journalists.
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Tuesday 9 March, 2010 - 14:42
The Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya has sharply condemned the idea of a porn channel on South African television.
Mayende-Sibiya says that, “Adults can source porn wherever, but now when you want to bring it at home, then it becomes a problem. Also, there is a linkage between porn and violence and the abuse of women and the abuse of children.”
Monday 22 February, 2010 - 14:49
South Africa's transition from analogue television broadcasts to digital broadcasts has been postponed by possibly two years or even longer.
The reason was that the country’s television industry and the digital Set Top Boxes (STBs) that viewers would have to purchase to watch TV in future, will not be ready in time.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) recently published the final digital migration regulations for the transitional process from digital terrestrial TV (DTTV) in the government gazette.
