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FXI SPOTLIGHTS FREE EXPRESSION AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has published two new books examining public protests in South Africa and what it calls the "crisis of accountability" confronting the country's public broadcaster.

"The Right to Dissent: Freedom of expression, assembly and demonstrations in South Africa?" looks at the tension between individuals? constitutionally guaranteed rights to express themselves through public demonstrations and the government's authority to regulate such rights. It draws from experiences during the August 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, where conflict took place between authorities and street protesters opposing the summit's agenda.

The second publication, "Public Broadcasting in the era of cost recovery: A Critique of the South African Broadcasting Corporation's (SABC) Crisis of Accountability" focuses on the broadcaster's move towards commercialisation "that has been at the expense of radio services targeting South Africa's poor," says FXI. The book examines how this trend developed, drawing on research conducted over a two-year period. It focuses on how SABC radio has been restructured for financial self-sufficiency in the absence of government funding and also looks at the impact of commercial restructuring on programming formats and schedules, news coverage and accessibility of stations.

Both publications are available by writing to FXI, PO Box 30668 Braamfontein 2017, 5th Floor, Argon House, 87 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa; Tel: +27 11 403 8403; Fax: +27 11 403 8309; E-mail: fxi@fxi.org.za; Website: http://fxi.org.za