11 May 2009

Alert

Publishers challenge Media Practitioners Act in court


(MISA/IFEX) - Botswana publishers, on 6 May 2009, registered a statutory notice with the attorney general and the Ministry of Communications Science and Technology, challenging the Media Practitioners Act of 2008.

The step brings to fruition the publishers' resolution of March 2009 in which they resolved to take the legal route in their quest to have the law repealed. Among other issues, the notice challenges clauses of registration and accreditation of journalists, the enforced right to reply, as well as the act's implications on the constitution of the country and its international commitments. The notice continues to call on the courts to declare the act as invalid.

MISA Botswana has committed to supporting the publishers' case.



Source:

Media Institute of Southern Africa
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
director (@) misa.org
Phone: +264 61 232975
Fax: +264 61 248016
 

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From other IFEX members

Deep divisions remain over media law (MISA)

More on this case

News media publishers decline invitation to participate in state media council 12 March 2009 State-owned media supports controversial Media Practitioners Act 27 February 2009 Preliminary survey results demonstrate support for press freedom, MISA-Botswana hopes government will realise that recently enacted media law is not in line with popular opinion 24 February 2009

Botswana

Member of Parliament sues Yarona FM for defamation 20 April 2011 Photojournalists harassed by police 25 November 2010 Freelance photojournalist arrested, detained 2 November 2010 Lawsuits against several newspapers withdrawn 17 September 2010 MISA concerned over withdrawal of broadcasters' code of conduct 19 October 2009 See all alerts: Botswana


 
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