What's so special about the Press Freedom Commission?

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] A new star, the Press Freedom Commission (PFC), has appeared in the emotionally charged galaxy of the South African print media, where ethics are sometimes flouted in the name of freedom of expression and critical journalists are held at gunpoint by a ruling party that believes that self-regulation is 'toothless' and not working. 11 Jul 2011 09:48

MDDA comments on CEO's statement

The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) board has stated that it is satisfied that its CEO, Lumko Mtimde, has consistently emphasised and stated that his views on the proposed media appeals tribunal are his own and not those of the agency. 20 Jun 2011 09:10

Eighty-one percent want independent media - survey

Thirty-one percent of metro adults support the ANC's proposed Media Appeals Tribunal (MAT) and 31% are in favour of the Protection of Information Bill (aka Secrecy Bill). This is according to a new study released yesterday, Tuesday, 31 May 2011, by TNS Research Surveys. 1 Jun 2011 13:55

We need accurate reporting, not distortion - ANC

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] We are not interested in closing down publications, in muzzling the media or in embedded journalism; what we need is accurate reporting, and not distortion, ANC Gauteng head of communications Nkenke Kekana said yesterday, Thursday, 10 March 2011, speaking at the two-day Regulations and Rights media conference at Wits University in Johannesburg. 11 Mar 2011 11:45

Media freedom must be upheld

At the AGMs of Media24 Holdings and Welkom Yizani, held in Cape Town yesterday, Wednesday, 22 September 2010, Professor Jakes Gerwel stated that the curbing of media freedom must be avoided at all costs. 23 Sep 2010 08:55

SABC board moves against Mokoetle

NEWSWATCH: The SABC board has moved to suspend CEO Solly Mokoetle, and the Western Cape High Court issued a judgment stopping a parliamentary oversight committee from holding a meeting on the Solly saga behind closed doors, reports IOL. Meanwhile, National Press Club (NPC) chairperson Yusuf Abramjee has said that ANC attempts to control the media are 'totally unacceptable', reports Mail & Guardian. 25 Aug 2010 07:14

ANC claims 'overwhelming support for MAT

NEWSWATCH: ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu claims there is 'overwhelming support' throughout the country for the establishment of a media appeals tribunal (MAT), reports Mail & Guardian. Meanwhile, press ombudsman Joe Thloloe says the media should not be forced to co-operate in its own 'rape', reports IOL, which also reports that the huge amount of comment published in The Daily News on the subject of the Protection of Information Bill has been overwhelmingly critical of the ANC's proposals - so to be fair the paper has published the ANC's point of view in an edited extract from the media discussion document. 24 Aug 2010 08:14