Cabinet decision welcomed by media watchdogs

The media organisations have been up in arms over the Department of Home Affair's decision to repeal the exemption of the print and broadcast media from the provisions of the Films and Publications Act - and thus lay the media open to pre-publication censorship and other restrictions.

At its meeting in Cape Town last week, the Cabinet approved for submission to Parliament the Films and Publications Amendment Bill 2006 which proposes the repeal of the exemption of the media from the Act but directed that relevant government departments engage with SANEF and other parties to discuss their concerns about the Bill.

The Cabinet also stated: "We would like to give the assurance that all views will be considered before the Bill is passed".

The media organisations note that the Cabinet took the view that the Bill must be published in its current form and that public discourse must be allowed before the Bill is promulgated.

While acknowledging that Government wishes to pursue customary parliamentary procedures in dealing with the Bill, the three organisations reiterate that the Bill with its pre-publication censorship provisions and other restrictions is unacceptable and is highly damaging to South Africa's reputation as a country that upholds freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Parliament is urged to deal with the issues as a matter of urgency.

SANEF, MISA-SA and FXI also welcome the Media Monitoring Project associating itself with the protest and the statement.