About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

Alerts - South Africa

---

South Africa

FXI supports gallery's refusal to remove Zuma picture

See for yourself the painting that sparked a national debate on artistic expression in South Africa and prompted vandals to deface it to "prevent civil war." Plus, read what IFEX member in South Africa Free Expression Institute (FXI) had to say (English only).

South Africa

Criminal probe targets AP, Reuters cameras on Mandela

Invoking the National Key Points Act, authorities described the presence of cameras outside the home of Nelson Mandela as a breach of his privacy and the law.

South Africa

Parliament passes controversial Protection of State Information Bill

The bill as passed is in need of serious revision and, if implemented, will curtail freedom of expression and the right to access information, says Human Rights Watch.

South Africa

Zuma spokesman files complaint against weekly

"Mail & Guardian" journalists Sam Sole and Stefaans Brümmer are investigating the president's alleged role in a US$5 billion international arms deal that became embroiled in scandal.

South Africa

Ruling ANC pulls secrecy bill

Critics of the Protection of Information Bill note that its repressive clauses criminalise investigative journalism and allow officials to classify any information in the name of "national interest".

South Africa

Journalists attacked during ANC protest

Supporters of ANC youth leader Julius Malema hurled bottles, stones, and bricks at police and reporters.

South Africa

Concerns mount about parliament's rush to pass Protection of Information Bill

Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils noted that the bill "will undermine public trust in the intelligence and security services at a time when confidence needs to be built".

South Africa

Journalists' organisation condemns government's plan to bribe newspapers

According to a press release issued by SANEF, the Cabinet approved a plan that would involve bribing newspapers into publishing only the government's view of news and affairs.

South Africa

IPI concerned that information bill may impede flow of news

IPI says the bill, which was designed to regulate classification procedures and sets out penalties for disclosing secret information, and may "open itself to abuse."

South Africa

BBC journalist expelled from South Africa press conference

African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Julius Malema referred to journalist Jonah Fisher as a "bastard" after the reporter interrupted him.

South Africa

IPI supports "The Citizen" newspaper in constitutional challenge

"The National Unity and Reconciliation Act should not be used to justify censorship," said IPI.

South Africa

Prosecutors banned from speaking to media

The National Prosecuting Authority, which issued the ban, has come under close scrutiny over a high-profile case relating to the wife of the state security minister.

South Africa

eNews journalists subpoenaed after story on criminals' World Cup plans

The ANC has demanded that e.tv help police arrest two criminals who threatened to rob World Cup tourists during interviews broadcast by the station on 15 January 2010.

South Africa

New bill threatens media freedom, says MISA

Media practitioners are raising concerns over the new Protection of Harassment Bill, describing it as a form of censorship.

South Africa

Unlit petrol bomb thrown into editor's home

A note was also discovered, saying "You have been warned. Now you must bear the consequences. Just so you know, this is only the beginning."

South Africa

SABC's investigative unit subjected to office raids, questioning, while corporation continues to probe show leak

The staff of the SABC investigative unit is being subjected to office raids and asked to take lie detector tests.

South Africa

Amendment Act a "grave intrusion" on freedom of expression, says FXI

FXI is deeply disappointed by the signing into law of the Films and Publications Amendment Act 3 of 2009.

South Africa

Controversial Films and Publications Amendment Bill signed into law

The bill has been described by critics as "deeply flawed and unconstitutional".

South Africa

Photographer for "Times" newspaper hit by rubber bullet while covering protest in Durban

A photographer for "The Times" newspaper was hit by a rubber bullet when Durban police fired into a crowd of protestors.

South Africa

Court allows media access to hearing

Independent newspapers "Mail & Guardian" and "Avusa", as well as e.tv, won a significant battle for press freedom and the principle of open democracy.

South Africa

State broadcaster accuses newspaper of theft following broadcast of documentary

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has laid a charge of "stolen property" after the "Mail and Guardian Online" posted on the web an episode of the current affairs programme "Special Assignment", a documentary report on political satire

South Africa

"Mail & Guardian" lodges complaint over state spying on its journalists

South Africa's weekly, "The Mail and Guardian" (M&G), has lodged a complaint with the inspector general of intelligence on the week of 25 May 2009 following sustained evidence that its journalists were spied on and harassed by state agents.

South Africa

Government refuses to grant Dalai Lama visa to attend and speak at peace conference

(FXI/IFEX) - The following in an FXI press release:

South Africa

Ruling party revives debate on media tribunal

(MISA/IFEX) - South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) says its view on establishing a media tribunal is "shifting". The party says that the South African media is historically hostile towards it, the online news agency News24 reported on 23 March 2009. News24 quoted ANC's spokesperson, Jessie Duarte, saying the media tribunal proposal is therefore under review.

South Africa

State broadcaster SABC responds to allegations that it manipulated news for political purposes

(MISA/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, the SABC denied allegations that its head of news, Snuki Zikalala, manipulated content for political purposes. "The Mail and Guardian" online reports that the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) had earlier accused the public broadcaster and Zikalala of manipulating content at a hearing by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa's (ICASA) Complaints Compliance Committee in Sandton. SABC counsel Ishmael Semenya said Zikalala was entitled to ask that certain commentators not be used in terms of "editorial independence" Zikalala had supplied reasons for his decisions, and they were not "irrational", Semenya added.

South Africa

Parliament adopts amended broadcasting bill

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 February 2009, the South Africa National Assembly adopted the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, having made the changes that were necessary to bring it in line with the constitution, after President Kgalema Motlanthe had referred the bill back to the lawmakers, said South African media reports.

South Africa

Unidentified "Pretoria News" journalist shot and wounded during police standoff at university

(MISA/IFEX) - An unidentified "Pretoria News" journalist was shot six times by the police during a standoff between the police and students at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria on 11 February 2009. Several people were injured when police fired a barrage of rubber bullets at hundreds of students protesting at the university. The journalist was rushed to hospital by paramedics.

South Africa

President refuses to sign bill on films and publications, returns it to parliament

(MISA/IFEX) - President Kgalema Motlanthe has reportedly refused to sign the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, questioning its constitutionality and returning it "untouched" to Parliament.

South Africa

Broadcast journalists claim intimidation from political parties

(MISA/IFEX) - Journalists from the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said they are experiencing intimidation as the country draws closer to the most bitterly contested elections in recent history, wrote Jocelyn Newmarch in "Business Day" of 5 December 2008. The elections are due to take place in 2009.

South Africa

SABC journalists allegedly intimidated by political party representatives, opposition parties concerned over SABC board's appearance before Parliamentary Portfolio Committee

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a MISA press release:

South Africa

FXI calls on president to release report on enquiry into official's fitness to hold office

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI press statement:

South Africa

University begins disciplinary proceedings against two professors for voicing criticisms of vice chancellor to the media

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a FXI press release:

South Africa

Swazi journalist harassed, his photos deleted by police while covering border protest

(MISA/IFEX) - On 27 October 2008 Sisho Magagula, a journalist with the state-owned "Swazi Observer" newspaper was harassed and had his digital camera confiscated and prints deleted by South African police while covering a border blockade protest by Swazi and South Africa trade unions. This harassment took place at the Swaziland and South Africa border post of Oshoek.

South Africa

Cartoonist receives death threats, faces possible legal action over controversial cartoon

(CRNI/IFEX) - The following is a CRNI press release:

South Africa

Judicial hearings should be accessible to the public and allowed to be broadcast live, says FXI

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 23 July 2008 FXI press statement:

South Africa

Court ruling on disclosure of classified documents encourages and disappoints at the same time, says FXI

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 5 June 2008 FXI press release:

South Africa

Closed-door sessions in inquiry into official's misconduct "may result in suppression of information of fundamental public importance," says FXI

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an abridged FXI press release:

South Africa

University of Witwatersrand students forbidden by administration to peacefully express solidarity with Palestinians

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI press release:

South Africa

Provincial government attempts to silence criticism of health services by legislative member

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI press release:

South Africa

Minister must follow due process to withhold information on "national security" grounds, says FXI

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2007 FXI media release:

South Africa

Growing trend of employers silencing criticisms as three workers disciplined, one dismissed

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2007 FXI press release:

South Africa

Photographer harassed, his camera seized; another briefly detained for covering police dispute

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 October 2007, a police officer manhandled "The Star" photographer Matthews Baloyi and confiscated equipment belonging to him, while chief photographer Chris Collingridge was arrested for taking down the registration number of a private car used by a police officer. Collingridge was later released.

South Africa

FXI, other organizations concerned over proposed board for public broadcaster, question group's "commitment to freedom of expression"

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an FXI press release:

South Africa

FXI welcomes Constitutional Court judgment in "nose stud" case

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI press statement:

South Africa

Cape Town court dismisses bank's application to prevent satirical journal from publishing information relating to alleged tax fraud scheme

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:

South Africa

Prison doctor suspended, faces defamation suit for criticising government minister

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI media statement:

South Africa

Hospital official suspended for speaking to media; "free speech in the public health system needs intensive care," says FXI

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI media release:

South Africa / Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean editor shot and seriously wounded in South Africa

(MISA/IFEX) - Abel Mutsakani, the editor of ZimOnline and former managing editor of the banned "Daily News", is reportedly battling for his life in a Johannesburg, South Africa hospital after he was shot and seriously injured by a gang of three assailants on 23 July 2007.

South Africa

Court gags media from publishing details of alleged corruption and abuse at public broadcaster

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI media statement:

South Africa / International

Repeatedly threatened cartoonist sued for defamation, wins award for courage

(CRN/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 CRN press release:

1 2 3 4 5