(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: ARTICLE 19 RELEASES CAMPAIGN PACK ON DEFAMATION AND INSULT LAWS IN SADC ARTICLE 19 releases today, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, a campaign pack on defamation and insult laws in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. This pack is the result […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
ARTICLE 19 RELEASES CAMPAIGN PACK ON DEFAMATION AND INSULT LAWS IN SADC
ARTICLE 19 releases today, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, a campaign pack on defamation and insult laws in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. This pack is the result of ongoing research that is examining the way defamation or insult suits against journalists have been used in a number of cases brought by public officials/figures.
The research has revealed that the use of defamation and insult laws is increasing, especially in countries facing a political crisis or civil conflict. An alarming finding is that in most cases charges are dismissed for lack of merit, either by the courts or by the prosecutors. There is also a regular and unwarranted use of criminal defamation associated with excessive and unreasonable fines.
This pack highlights the threats to freedom of expression posed by defamation and insults laws. It also aims to simplify the legal issues around these concepts and enable media practitioners and advocates to devise strategies.
The pack can be found on ARTICLE 19’s website at
http://www.article19.org/docimages/1601.pdf and
http://www.article19.org/docimages/1602.pdf
