South Africa

Jacob Zuma has withdrawn a four year-old defamation claim over a depiction by cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro of Zuma preparing to rape a female personification of the justice system.

The Media Workers Association of South Africa is picketing at the South African Broadcasting Corporation to demand recognition of its right to organise and fair treatment of its members.

FXI disappointed by the Constitutional Court in the SATAWU & COSATU v GARVIS and others MEDIA STATEMENT 13 June 2012 FXI DISAPPOINTED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGMENT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN TRANSPORT AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION AND CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS V GARVIS AND OTHERS The FXI is disappointed by the judgement of […]

We’re excited that the UK-based Guardian has reported on the important free expression battles unfolding in South Africa, summarizing international condemnation of the country’s so-called Secrecy Bill at the United Nations. The Protection of Information Bill is ostensibly designed to improve an apartheid-era law, but the text has been roundly criticized for containing provisions that […]

The Board classified Brett Murray’s artwork 16N, making it illegal to allow anyone under 16 to see it on grounds of nudity.

A satirical painting of President Zuma provoked a firestorm of controversy echoed on Twitter with intense debate between proponents of free speech and those of the rights to privacy and honour.

“I don’t want any more newspapers burnt in anger,” editor says.

See for yourself the painting that sparked a national debate on artistic expression in South Africa and prompted vandals to deface it to “prevent civil war.” Plus, read what IFEX member in South Africa Free Expression Institute (FXI) had to say (English only).

Nearly 200 journalists gathered to hear the much-anticipated findings of the organisation charged with designing a “gold standard” regulatory system for print media.

Invoking the National Key Points Act, authorities described the presence of cameras outside the home of Nelson Mandela as a breach of his privacy and the law.

The bill as passed is in need of serious revision and, if implemented, will curtail freedom of expression and the right to access information, says Human Rights Watch.

“Mail & Guardian” journalists Sam Sole and Stefaans Brümmer are investigating the president’s alleged role in a US$5 billion international arms deal that became embroiled in scandal.

Critics of the Protection of Information Bill note that its repressive clauses criminalise investigative journalism and allow officials to classify any information in the name of “national interest”.

Supporters of ANC youth leader Julius Malema hurled bottles, stones, and bricks at police and reporters.

Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils noted that the bill “will undermine public trust in the intelligence and security services at a time when confidence needs to be built”.

According to a press release issued by SANEF, the Cabinet approved a plan that would involve bribing newspapers into publishing only the government’s view of news and affairs.