South Africa - Alerts
The Board classified Brett Murray’s artwork 16N, making it illegal to allow anyone under 16 to see it on grounds of nudity.
A satirical painting of President Zuma provoked a firestorm of controversy echoed on Twitter with intense debate between proponents of free speech and those of the rights to privacy and honour.
"I don't want any more newspapers burnt in anger," editor says.
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).
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.
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.
"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.
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".
Supporters of ANC youth leader Julius Malema hurled bottles, stones, and bricks at police and reporters.
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".
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.
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."
African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Julius Malema referred to journalist Jonah Fisher as a "bastard" after the reporter interrupted him.
"The National Unity and Reconciliation Act should not be used to justify censorship," said IPI.
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.
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.
Media practitioners are raising concerns over the new Protection of Harassment Bill, describing it as a form of censorship.
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."
The staff of the SABC investigative unit is being subjected to office raids and asked to take lie detector tests.
FXI is deeply disappointed by the signing into law of the Films and Publications Amendment Act 3 of 2009.
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