Journalist pressured to testify in court; FXI decries creeping assault on right to protect sources
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 6 November 2006 FXI media statement: FXI supports journalist Gasant Abarder’s right not to testify in “Country Fair” defamation case The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) applauds The Daily Voice’s News Editor, Gasant Abarder, for his ethical stand in not testifying in the civil defamation case involving “Country Fair” […]
Parliamentary committee chair criticises media conduct regarding draft law, suggests Constitution be amended to allow limiting of press freedom
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by FXI and MISA-South Africa: Misa-SA and FXI statement on complaint by Home Affairs Portfolio Committee Chairman Patrick Chauke about media conduct The South African Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-SA) and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) are appalled at the attack by […]
CAPSULE REPORT: Media freedom declining, says FXI
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an 18 October 2006 FXI press release: State of media freedom in South Africa declining The Freedom of Expression Institute is concerned about declining levels of media freedom in South Africa, and has called on South Africans to use the opportunity of National Press Freedom Day (October 19) to reflect […]
Broadcasting corporation refuses to release full report on allegations of politically-motivated “blacklisting”
(FXI/IFEX) -The following is an FXI media statement: RE: SABC ‘blacklisting’ report The Freedom of Expression Institute is outraged that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has decided not to release the much-awaited report into allegations of a politically-motivated “blacklist” implemented by the Group Executive of News, Dr. Snuki Zikalala, on SABC services. Instead they […]
Lecturer faces disciplinary committee, possible dismissal, as free expression declines at university
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 9 October 2006 FXI press release: FXI Concerned about growing “climate of fear” at UKZN The Freedom of Expression Institute is very concerned about the state of freedom of expression and academic freedom at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Free expression and academic freedom are in severe decline at […]
Freedom of expression rights compromised under proposed by-law, says FXI
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 5 October 2006 FXI press release: By-Law Relating to Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Nuisances, 2006 The Freedom of Expression Institute is concerned about the “By-Law relating to streets, public places and the prevention of nuisances” that has been proposed by the City of Cape Town. While […]
FXI welcomes court ruling on attempted gagging of “Mail & Guardian” newspaper
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 21 September 2006 FXI media release: Media Release: FXI welcomes court ruling on attempted gagging of M&G The Freedom of Expression Institute welcomes the decision of the Johannesburg High Court a few hours ago, giving the Mail & Guardian the go-ahead to publish an article on allegations of possible […]
Constitutional Court rejects appeal against decision to prohibit broadcasting from courtroom
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 21 September 2006 FXI media release: FXI’s response to Constitutional Court’s ruling on SABC’s application to broadcast Schabir Shaik’s appeal The FXI is disappointed with today’s judgment of the Constitutional Court (CC) dismissing an appeal by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to broadcast the appeals of Schabir Shaik […]
Court gags newspaper in response to public official’s legal action, setting disturbing precedent, says FXI
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI media release: FXI condemns gagging of Mail and Guardian newspaper by Johannesburg High Court The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is very disturbed to hear that yet another urgent interdict has been granted against the media, in this case the Mail and Guardian newspaper. The interdict was sought […]
Police violently repress demonstrations and deny freedom of expression to poor communities
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a 12 September 2006 FXI media release: The Freedom of Expression Institute is becoming extremely concerned at the repression and denial of free expression to especially poor communities by South Africa’s police services. Over the past few days, three cases of police violence against unarmed citizens […]
FXI releases report on violations of the right to demonstrate and to express dissent
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is a 9 September 2006 FXI media statement: FXI Welcomes Release of Nationwide Research Report on Abuse of Right to Protest The FXI today released a research report revealing widespread violations of the right to demonstrate in South Africa. There is a gap between what the role-players perceive the Regulation of […]
IPI urges exemption of print and electronic media from Films and Publications Amendment Bill
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 7 September 2006 IPI letter to South African President H.E. Thabo Mbeki: H.E. Thabo Mbeki President of South Africa The Presidency Union Buildings, West Wing Government Avenue Pretoria 0001 Republic of South Africa Fax: (+ 2712) 323 82 46 / 2573 Vienna, 7 September 2006 Your Excellency, The International […]
Health officials prohibited from speaking to media about HIV and AIDS
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI press statement: FXI and ODAC condemn gag on health officials The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) are deeply disturbed by reports of an instruction given by Health Department Director-General Thami Mseleku to stop provincial health officials commenting on HIV and AIDS. We […]
Publishing group threatens former employee with legal action for defamation over critical pamphlet
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a 29 August 2006 FXI letter to the executive staff of Media24 publishing group: 29 August 2006 Hein Brand, Managing Director, Media24, hbrand@media24.com Jan Malherbe, Media24 Newspapers Chief Executive, jmalherbe@media24.com Neil Jansen, Human Resources General Manager, Media24, njansen@media24.com Dear Messrs Brand, Malherbe and Jansen Re: Media24’s […]
Supreme Court dismisses application to televise and record high-profile court case
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI statement: FXI’s response to SCA’s ruling on SABC’s application to broadcast Schabir Shaik’s appeal The FXI is disappointed with the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) ruling today dismissing an application by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to televise and sound record the proceedings of Schabir Shaik’s appeal. […]
FXI’s Anti-Censorship Programme releases seventh report
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI press release: FXI’s Anti-Censorship Programme releases seventh report The FXI’s Anti-Censorship Programme (ACP) has released its 7th progress report, detailing the cases it has dealt with and outlining some of the challenges in the freedom of expression environment in South Africa. The ACP’s work includes two areas: 1) […]