The government and the media

The Cape High Court ruled last week that Firstrand could not hide behind its clients “to protect itself against defamation by Noseweek magazine”, reports Business Day. IOL writes that, according to Cape deputy judge president Jeanette Traverso, “Publication of the fact that a person is a client of a specific bank does not infringe privacy rights”.

Business media houses may be facing further consolidation, reports Fin24.co.za: unlisted Mvelaphanda (Mvela) Holdings not only recently “helped fund Isingqi Investment Holdings' acquisition of a 25,1% share of Moneyweb Holdings for over R8m” but its majority-owned listed Mvelaphanda Group last week came to an agreement with fund manager Allan Gray “to buy up to 30% of the soon-to-be listed media operations of Avusa (provisionally named Opco)”. If this deal goes through, “it would make the wider Mvela group a common denominator between Moneyweb and Opco”.

Meanwhile, the Mail & Guardian Online reports that both journalist Margaret Legum and actor Henry Cele passed away last week.

The Times is promoting further interactivity by encouraging readers to SMS views and suggestions and to comment on stories online, which may also be published the following day in the print edition, blogs The Times' editor Ray Hartley. The online newspaper has also launched its special page on the presidential succession race.

For more:

• Mail & Guardian Online: Mbeki criticises behaviour of media
  
• The Weekender: Media law not a bid to gag press, says Mbeki
  
• Thoughtleader: SA's press council: Public watchdog or (government) bloodhound?

• IOL: Judge rules on Noseweek, FirstRand case

• Fin24: Media sector set for shake-up

• Mail & Guardian Online: Journalist Margaret Legum passes away
  
• Mail & Guardian Online: Shaka Zulu star Henry Cele dies

• The Wild Frontier: Get your views into The Times by SMS [Ray Hartley's blog]
  
• The Wild Frontier: The Race for ANC President: The web guide