South Africa: Proposed media tribunal must be vigorously opposed: National Press Club.

PRETORIA - The South African National Press Club has called on the government and the ruling African National Congress to “seriously rethink its stance” on the controversial Protection of Information Bill and the proposed Media Tribunal Bill.

Club Chairperson Yusuf Abramjee, who is also head of news and current affairs at Primedia Broadcasting, told The Zimbabwean that President Jacob Zuma and his cabinet need to “engage the media fraternity” on the set of proposed legislation.

He said, “The proposed laws will certainly infringe on our rights to free speech and will affect media freedom. The censorship issue is one of our grave concerns and has serious implications for our (South African) democracy. We need to vigorously oppose it.”

“The media does make mistakes from time to time and we must ensure that accuracy and balance is maintained. But for government to try and control us and silence us is totally unacceptable,” added Abramjee.

Press Club’s Deputy Chairperson, Jos Charle, who is also executive editor at the Pretoria News newspaper said it is time that government and the media come closer together so that each side can fully understand how the other side works.
He urged the media to continue to report freely; without fear or favour, and those who feel aggrieved by what is being reported, must also have the right to approach legitimate bodies that are there to deal with public complaints.

“These bodies, if anything, must be further strengthened and capacitated, to ensure that they deal with issues in an impartial, proficient manner.“This can be done by opening doors to each other and via background and off-the-record briefings that will help elucidate various matters”, said Charle.

The press club among many other local and international bodies believe the proposed legislation will instil a sense of intimidation among media professionals and this is bound to filter down to the rest of Africa's rainbow nation and erode the spirit of freedom that generally characterises South Africa.

-August 24, 2010 by Jonisayi Maromo  

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Source: www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/index.php  (accessed on 25.08.10)