[2013 trends] Media and advertising regulation in 2013

[Gail Schimmel] So here we are in 2013 - the Mayan trend predictions for 2012 having spectacularly failed to materialise, leaving some of us with hangovers and debt that we had secretly hoped would be wiped clean in a Mayan-flavoured apocalypse. Ah, well, one can only dream. 24 Jan 2013 12:05

Journalism students encourage others to support Right2Know Campaign

Following last week's call by journalists to support the 'Journalist Declaration on the Protection of State Information Bill' petition, the second year journalism students at the Department of Media Studies at Walter Sisulu University, East London have drafted a similar declaration and are calling on other students for support. 20 Sep 2011 10:16

Participate in Media Freedom Week

From 19-23 September 2011, South Africans will be talking about the importance or lack of it that the media plays in their daily lives in Media Freedom Week. Media Monitoring Africa is launching the dialogue in conjunction with media partners, academic institutions, think tanks, activists, members of civil society and individuals across South Africa. 13 Sep 2011 07:40

March or be silent

Despite year-long efforts to reform the Secrecy Bill in Parliament, the final draft that will appear before the National Assembly still metes out harsh prison sentences to whistle-blowers, and poses a clear threat to the free flow of information. The public is urged to join in a march in Cape Town on Saturday, 17 September 2011, to reject the final draft of the 'Secrecy Bill'. 12 Sep 2011 09:12

The Zimbabwean launches freedom of speech campaign

JOHANNESBURG: Launching a new campaign conceptualised for The Zimbabwean newspaper, TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Johannesburg have erected billboards across South Africa depicting nine, harrowing real life stories of life in Zimbabwe. The campaign is entitled 'Give a voice to the voiceless'. 15 Mar 2011 12:03

Right2Know campaign plots way forward, Secrecy Bill under pressure

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] After fighting raucous and noisy battles with the South African government in the past three months over the Protection of Information Bill, aka Secrecy Bill, the Gauteng branch of Right2Know campaign - a consortium of 400 civil society organisations and 1100 individuals - is meeting today, Wednesday, 8 December 2010, in Newtown, Johannesburg, to redefine its future plans and sharpen its spears as it prepares to take its struggle to the next level in 2011. 8 Dec 2010 11:43

ANCYL most miffed with media

NEWSWATCH: The ANCYL is very cross with the media for suggesting that Julius Malema hasn't kept his promises, reports Mail & Guardian, and the ANC is hypocritical when it comes to freedom of speech, says the FF+, according to Politicsweb. 26 Oct 2010 07:53

Go ahead: pass the Protection of Information Bill

[Daryl Ilbury] Much has been said in the media about the proposed ravages of the Protection of Information Bill; enough, I think I can safely say, to spread fear among those who truly cherish freedom of expression. 23 Aug 2010 13:28

More support for 36 editors' group

MS&L Group, part of Publicis Groupe, reportedly the world's third largest communications group, has come out in support of the group of 36 editors to oppose the Protection of Information Bill and government's proposed media appeals tribunal. 11 Aug 2010 10:14

Auckland Park Declaration an "opening gambit"

[Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA] In an unprecedented show of unity, our country's newspaper editors came together late last week to say "enough" to the government and sign what they have called the Auckland Park Declaration. And about time, too. 10 Aug 2010 14:00

Power without responsibility: the Media Appeals Tribunal

[Thabani Khumalo] The African National Congress' 2007 Limpopo Conference proposed that an independent Media Appeals Tribunal be created to adjudicate complaints from citizens about media publications. The suggestion put the ANC on collision course with media journalists, editors, analysts and human rights activists who feared that such a process would curtail media liberties. 30 Jul 2010 10:39

Media groups relieved as Motlanthe rejects Publications Bill

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] President Kgalema Motlanthe last week refused to sign the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, questioning its constitutionality and returning it ‘untouched' to Parliament. Melissa Moore, head of Law Clinic at Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), welcomed the president's decision. 2 Feb 2009 09:07

Online media owners welcome further Bill consultation

The Online Publisher's Association (OPA) has cautiously welcomed the announcement of further consultation on the controversial Film and Publications Amendment Bill. In a recent submission to the Home Affairs portfolio committee, the OPA raised strong concerns over the impractical nature of implementing the legislation for online media and its potential harm to freedom of speech in South Africa. 30 Oct 2006 08:49