South Africa / Africa

  
A protest against pending state secrets legislation in South Africa. (Chris Yelland)

Mission Journal: Secrets bill spurs South African press

Irrespective of whether South Africa actually implements the most draconian parts of state secrets legislation now under consideration, the media in the continent’s most open democracy already feel under threat. The prospect of 25-year jail sentences for journalists publishing “classified” information has galvanized disparate news outlets and journalists groups to work together like never before. 

Read More ›

South Africa's "secrecy bill" has to be signed by President Jacob Zuma before it becomes law. (AP)

CPJ calls on South Africa to drop secrecy bill

Johannesburg, December 8, 2011–South African authorities should heed widespread calls to drop a “secrecy bill” that opponents say will criminalize whistle-blowing and stifle investigative journalism, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Read More ›

South Africans protest the information bill outside parliament. (Anna Majavu/Sunday Times)

South Africa lower house passes information bill

New York, November 22, 2011–The South African National Assembly today passed an information bill which would sanction unauthorized possession and publication of classified state information with a prison term of up to 25 years, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the upper house of parliament to reject the bill, which has…

Read More ›

Mail & Guardian

Zuma spokesman targets South African weekly

New York, November 21, 2011–The spokesman for South African President Jacob Zuma filed a criminal complaint on Saturday against two journalists investigating his alleged role in a $US5 billion international arms deal that became embroiled in scandal, according to news reports. Weekly investigative paper Mail & Guardian sought comment last week from presidential spokesman Mac…

Read More ›

Children march with signs protesting the Protection of Information Bill. (Right2Know)

South Africa’s ruling ANC pulls secrecy bill

New York, September 20, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is relieved by Monday’s decision by the parliamentary majority of South Africa’s ruling party to withdraw a controversial bill from consideration pending further consultation with public interest groups over its contentious clauses.

Read More ›

Journalists take cover while Malema supporters protest the ANC leader's disciplinary hearing. (Daniel Born/The Times)

In South Africa, journalists attacked during ANC protest

New York, August 31, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by anti-press violence by supporters of Julius Malema, youth leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, and is relieved that the party leader has urged restraint.

Read More ›

In Johannesburg. (CPJ)

The Internet in East Africa: An aid or a weapon?

Frank Nyakairu has seen it all. A veteran war reporter, he has covered the horrors of northern Uganda and Somalia, among others places. And throughout this time of rich but often appalling experiences, he has also seen the auspicious–and sometimes terrifying–impact the Internet has had on East African reporters. Nyakairu spoke at a recent workshop held…

Read More ›

(AP)

Libya: Release body of South African photojournalist

New York, May 20, 2011–The Libyan government should immediately release the body of South African photographer Anton Hammerl, at left, and investigate the role of the armed forces in his death, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Hammerl, 41, was shot and killed by government forces near Brega in eastern Libya…

Read More ›

Motlanthe at NYU. (CPJ/Mohamed Keita)

At NYU, South Africa’s Motlanthe defends press policies

On Monday, in a public lecture at New York University, South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe described as irreversible the democratic gains made since the end of apartheid, including the advancement of press freedom. “We have a constitution which guarantees basic human rights such as freedom of association, freedom of the press, and the independent…

Read More ›

Western Cape protesters march against South Africa's secrecy bill. (R2K)

In South Africa, threats to press cloud Human Rights Day

As South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day on March 21, the country was beset by uncertainty on the fate of media freedom and the ability of the press to report without state interference. 

Read More ›