South Africa

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release: SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNALISTS SUBPOENAED IN MURDER CASE, THREATENED WITH DEATH IF THEY TESTIFY New York, April 27, 2001 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned about the safety of two South African journalists who have been subpoenaed to testify against a murderous vigilante […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 20 April 2001 FXI media statement: RE: Martin Welz/ PAC cases The Freedom of Expression Institute expresses its deep alarm by the decision of the agencies investigating allegations of corruption associated with the state’s R43.8-billion arms deal to request the Western Cape Director of Prosecutions to institute a criminal […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI press release: RE: ANC reaction to Max Du Preez’s comments on President Mbeki The Freedom of Expression Institute is deeply disturbed about the turn of events following comments by Max du Preez on the SAFM programme “The Editors”. The comments concerned the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI press release: RE: Constitutional Court decision on Russell Mababolo case The Freedom of Expression Institute welcomes the important Constitutional Court decision on the Russell Mamabolo case which furthers the cause of freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and paves the way for more open comment and […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The African National Congress (ANC) has reacted angrily at a report in a South African newspaper, “The Citizen”, which claimed President Thabo Mbeki was a womaniser. “For ‘The Citizen’ to publish such trash was proof that a leopard never changes its colours,” said ANC spokesperson Smut Ngonyama. “It is publicly known and I […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The South African government’s plans to form an independent Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) to regulate the South African media industry could lead to political interference with press freedom, the Print Media Association of South Africa (PMSA) warned on 4 April 2001. The association was responding to comments by Minister in the […]

(MISA/IFEX) – South Africa’s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has expressed concern that the proposed Media Development and Diversity Agency would duplicate and even erode the mandate of the country’s broadcasting regulator, reported “The Star” and the South African Press Association (SAPA) on 28 March 2001. In a submission to parliament’s communications committee, which is […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On Friday 23 March 2001, Tyrone Seale, a journalist for Afrikaans daily “Beeld”, was thrown out of the annual congress of the right-wing Herstigte National Party (HNP), held in Pretoria. Apparently, he was kicked out of the meeting because he was not white. Seale, assistant editor and political reporter for the Afrikaans newspaper, […]

(MISA/IFEX) – South Africa’s “Promotion of Access to Information Act” has come into operation, with the exception of four sections. The act gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information, as envisaged in the constitution. The act regulates the right of access to any information held by the state and private bodies and […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Interference in newspapers’ content could result from the establishment of the “Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA)” proposed by the government, Print Media SA has warned. In a foreword to the draft position paper on the agency, released for comment in November 2000, Minister in the office of the President Essop Pahad said […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 17 August 2000 FXI media statement: 17 August 2000 RE: Freelance journalist Dr. Dale T. McKinley expelled from South African Communist Party The Freedom of Expression Institute condemns the decision to expel Dr. Dale McKinley from the South African Communist Party. On 15 August, the Central Committee of the […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI media statement: RE: Disciplinary action against freelance journalist and SACP member Dr. Dale McKinley 11 August 2000 The Freedom of Expression Institute expresses its extreme disquiet with disciplinary action being taken by the South African Communist Party against one of its members, Dr. Dale McKinley. The FXI has […]

(FXI/IFEX) – Making headlines in South Africa is the news that the Defence Intelligence (DI) in Pretoria has been making overtures to members of the press for its Overt Liaison section. The section says it seeks to establish relationships with journalists with a “view to acquiring oral and written analyses of current events”. In return, […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 19 July 2000 FXI press release: FXI DISTURBED BY HEATH UNIT’S ATTITUDE TO THE MEDIA FXI is disturbed by the Heath Special Investigative Unit’s recent decision to close down its contact with the media until such time as it has what it terms “a workman-like media policy” in place. […]

(FXI/IFEX) – On 5 July 2000, FXI received news from the news agency African Eye News Services (AENS) that two of its reporters were harassed by government officials while on duty to cover a government staff protest in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. According to AENS editor Justin Arenstein, AENS received three separate telephone invitations from three different […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an 8 June 2000 FXI press statement: FXI QUESTIONS JUDGE KING’S DECISION The Freedom of the Expression of Institute is disappointed to note Justice King’s decision not to allow cameras and recording equipment into the commission of inquiry into allegations of match fixing. Although we sympathise with the Judge’s concern […]