FCA comments on media freedom
The Foreign Correspondents' Association of Southern Africa (FCA) issued a statement on Friday, 6 August 2010, stating that it is alarmed at recent moves to curtail press freedom in South Africa, the arrest last week of an investigative journalist from the Sunday Times and the manner in which it was conducted.
In its view, there appears to be a deliberate attempt by the governing party, through proposed legislation, to curb the profession's ability to hold the government to task.
A free and open press is one of the pillars of democracy and unfortunately, there is little evidence of this on the African continent, other than in South Africa. Any attempt by government to control, monitor or limit the ability of journalists to do their job threatens democracy.
That a media house is forced to go to court to release a journalist being held without charges and no apparent case, is eerily reminiscent of what it has seen in Zimbabwe and other countries with a tradition of intimidating journalists.
For more on the FCA, go to www.fcasa.co.za.
For more:
- Bizcommunity special section: special focus on media freedom
- Bizcommunity Twitterfall: #ZAmediafreedom
- Google News Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
- Twitter Search: #ZAmediafreedom
- Google Blog Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
Related
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles expands in KZN
28 May 2019
Navigate like a boss this rainy season
12 Sep 2018
Media under gun in Africa
Shenaaz Jamal 4 May 2017
Degrees-for-sale scam
Mzilikazi wa Afrika 15 Jul 2016
