DA's complaints against info bill 'absurd'

Earlier this week DA parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko laid a charge with the ASA over a number of radio, TV and print media advertisements placed by the Department of State Security - the sponsor of the so-called "secrecy bill" that was currently being heard by the National Council of Provinces.

Mothapo said that it was silly for the DA to regard this exercise as a violation of the principle of separation of powers.

According to Mothapo the department was merely educating South Africans on the facts around the Bill, and not influencing or meddling in the parliamentary process.

He said that he hoped the ASA would see the DA's complaint for what it was "...a silly and opportunistic political game".

Sticking to her guns

However, Mazibuko stuck to her guns saying that it was not the job of a state department to propagate the views of a political party.

"If the ANC want to support this bill then they can hold a press conference at their own expense," she said.

In her complaint to the ASA, Mazibuko said the adverts appeared to have breached three key provisions of the ASA's Advertising Code, namely honesty, fear, and truthful presentation.

Mazibuko claimed that the television adverts contained in the Department of State Security's campaign not only exaggerated the implications and scope of the bill in dealing with the information of citizens and companies, but also failed to mention the significant focus of the bill on the classification of state information and potential it held for hiding embarrassing information and preventing the media from both uncovering and reporting on corruption.