World Association of News Publishers


A Free and Independent Press is the Only Way Forward for South Africa

A Free and Independent Press is the Only Way Forward for South Africa

Article ID:

14193

Government transparency is crucial to a democratic society and the media plays a huge role in ensuring this mechanism; since the end of Apartheid and the succession of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa has had an independent press where investigative journalism thrives, uncovering corruption and helping to keep the government accountable.

However, the ANC's proposed Protection of Information Bill threatens to move the country's press advancements backwards by limiting the activities of investigative journalists and shielding the government from press scrutiny. The passage of this legislation would cripple the media's effectiveness as a watchdog and lead to the decline of South Africa's independent press.

Drafted in 2009, the Protection of Information Bill's purported aim is to function as a mechanism against "espionage" and protect "national interests". However, it has been deemed the "Secrecy Bill" because it would allow the government to classify any information, including police investigations, as confidential in the name of "national interest" – a vague, all-encompassing designation that could severely limit the media and thus the public's access to information.

Any individual "releasing" confidential information could be imprisoned for up to 25 years; journalists would have to prove that their information is vital to the public interest before disclosure. Activities crucial to investigative journalists would effectively be criminalised, blocking the government's actions from media observation and reducing accountability.

In a related effort, the ANC has proposed a government-regulated body called the Media Appeals Tribunal, which would arbitrate disputes brought against the media. The establishment of this body could lead to governmental interests further limiting the media and have a chilling effect on critical news coverage. The norm in democratic societies where such tribunals exist is to have them self-regulated by the media, not by the government.

With the passage of the Protection of Information Bill and the establishment of the Media Appeals Tribunal, South Africa would fail to realize its potential as the enduring model for free expression in a region where a government-controlled press is often the norm. Various media and freedom of speech organisations, including The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), have expressed their concerns to the ANC. Though the decision had reportedly been made for the Bill to be pulled from parliament's consideration, the ANC has not yet taken it off the table and will most likely be presenting parts of it in December. This could seriously hinder the country's advances in press freedom. 

In any free society, newspapers provide a critical role in the public analysis and criticism of government actions, and the imposition of this Bill's overreaching restrictions will limit the fundamental human right of free expression and undermine South Africa's function as an open democracy. The ANC should recall this bill and reexamine the importance of press freedom in promoting democratization and fair, effective governance.

Author

Andrew Heslop's picture

Andrew Heslop

Date

2011-11-22 10:49

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The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has expressed concern over the implications of a proposed Protection of Information Bill currently before the South African parliament.

Author

Andrew Heslop's picture

Andrew Heslop

Date

2010-08-24 11:27

Author

Andrew Heslop's picture

Andrew Heslop

Date

2010-08-23 23:00

In countless countries, journalists, editors and publishers are physically attacked, imprisoned, censored, suspended or harassed for their work. WAN-IFRA is committed to defending freedom of expression by promoting a free and independent press around the world. Read more ...