We the People:a viral campaign

In support of the campaign to celebrate the 15th birthday of South Africa's Constitution, independent strategist Sarah Britten has developed the strategy of 'We the People', with Media Monitoring Africa's William Bird. A series of five images are being released this week, one per day. 21 Feb 2012 11:49

Radio programme focuses on access to justice

A new radio programme, Justice on the Airwaves, produced by the department of justice and constitutional development (DOJ&CD) and the SABC, is part of the department's newly conceptualised communication strategy to reposition the department's image internally and externally. 19 Sep 2011 11:15

Scrap Secrecy Bill, defiant marchers tell SA govt

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] As the Protection of Information Bill (aka Secrecy Bill) is on the brink of putting South Africa at the same level with secretive societies such as China, North Korea and various African banana republics, the entire civil society - united under Right2Know - remains defiant in the face of repression. An estimated 800 protesters marched to the Constitution Hill in Johannesburg over the weekend to tell the ANC-led government: "stop and scrap it." 15 Aug 2011 11:26

SANEF expresses solidarity with Haffajee

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) expressed its solidarity with City Press editor Ferial Haffajee in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, 2 August 2011, while defending axed Sowetan columnist Eric Miyeni's right to defend what he likes, "with the proviso that it fall within the bounds of what the constitution allows". 2 Aug 2011 17:22

Marketers' legal challenges in post-apartheid SA

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] Marketers face unprecedented legal challenges in post-apartheid South Africa, an era in which a rain of legislations are furiously criss-crossing the marketing environment as the government multiplies efforts to 'protect' consumers. 25 Jul 2011 11:39

It's the Big Meanies versus the Agents of the Revolutionary House

[Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA] Maybe I'm too paraat but I do feel we need to guard against getting too touchy feely about what might be wrong with South Africa's press ombudsman, which has been under attack from the ANC as the party appears to be striving to replace the press's self-regulation system with statutory oversight in the form of the proposed media appeals tribunal. 8 Mar 2011 09:51

SA's 'flawed' legislation, proposals threaten human rights - MMA

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South Africa's 'fragile' freedom of expression, free flow of information, and media liberties and independence - some of the cornerstones of any society's human rights - were further shaken this year by a series of what critics call 'flawed' and 'authoritarian' legislation and proposals. As the world commemorated International Human Rights Day on Friday, 17 December 2010, last week, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) called on Government to uphold the spirit of the Constitution and human rights in any new legislation and statutory bodies established. 13 Dec 2010 11:24

Constitution to be focal point for Government, media relations

Government and the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) have agreed that the respective roles of the state and media enjoy affirmation and protection in the Constitution, and that the Constitution should be the focal point governing relations between the two. The two parties met at Magaliesburg in the North West this past weekend to reflect on the role of Government and media within the context of South Africa's development. 18 Oct 2010 12:50

Battle for control of ICASA: what lies beneath

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] According to international best practices, broadcasting should be regulated in an independent manner to avoid various forms of abuse. South Africa, which is on the verge of amending the law governing its broadcasting regulations, has adopted a number of international agreements, including the African Charter on Broadcasting, the Dakar Declaration and the UNESCO's Media Development Indicators. 26 Aug 2010 12:02

World media denounce SA POI Bill, MAT

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum (WEF) have written an open letter to South African president Jacob Zuma denouncing the proposed Protection of Information Bill and the Media Appeals Tribunal currently before Parliament. The organisations have expressed concern over the proposed legislations' threat to media freedom. 23 Aug 2010 11:05

Fears for South Africa's press freedom

[Chris Stein] JOHANNESBURG: International media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks South Africa's press as among the freest on the continent. Two proposed new measures are drawing unfavourable comparisons to repressive laws in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. 23 Aug 2010 10:13

POI Bill is the veil for ANC secrets going back 20 years

[Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA] There we were, brimming with national pride for six weeks throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup - and now we're fighting for the future freedom of the media. What an all-holy comedown the Protection of Information Bill and ANC noises of a state-funded media tribunal have been. 3 Aug 2010 12:04