When truth is the enemy

by | Apr 6, 2008 | Media freedom

Foreign journalists were among those targeted when the Zimbabwe government of Robert Mugabe flexed its muscles as tension rose during the wait for election results.  In the Saturday Star, Fiona Ford provided a detailed  description of the ...

ANC paper is putting cart before horse

by | Apr 2, 2008 | Media freedom

ANC plans to start a party newspaper are ill advised, writes Thami Mazwai in Business Day.  It will be expensive, and face challenges of credibility and integrity.  Although the party has every right to do so, it would be much better to tackle the...

Judge is right about media and judiciary's roles

by | Apr 2, 2008 | Media freedom

The Star has hailed a recent speech by Chief Justice Pius Langa, who underlined the importance of  an independent media.  "As the good judge reminded us, the proper functioning of the judiciary and the media is vital for the well-being of the...

State secrets don't hamper journalists

by | Apr 2, 2008 | Media freedom

The new Protection of Information Bill is not intended to shackle the press, writes Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils in the Mail & Guardian. "The starting point of the Protection of Information Bill is that excessive secrecy harms security and that the...

Media laws in ten countries

by | Mar 20, 2008 | Media freedom

Prof Guy Berger of Rhodes University has published a comprehensive overview of media legislation in ten multi-party African democratic countries with a constitution. Phakamisa Ndzamela reviews the book.   In each of the democratic countries surveyed –...

Before the ANC hits its own headlines

by | Mar 20, 2008 | Media freedom

Party newspapers don't produce great journalism, writes Anton Harber in Business Day. Yet if the ANC wants to set up its own paper, going against international trends, it would be welcome to do so. Bit it might do better to improve its communication through the...