The court ruling that gagged an Mail&Guardian story on “Oilgate” is indefensble, writes Charles Lewis, president of the Washington-based Fund for Independence in Journlaism in the M&G; No democracy should countenance the principle of the confidentiality of sources.
It wasn’t supposed to happen in the new South Africa, the country of Nelson Mandela that in the 1990s came to symbolise hope, resilience and the “long walk to freedom”, an indelible inspiration to the entire world.
No, it wasn’t supposed to happen anymore, preventing a newspaper from publishing a story about potential lawbreaking by the powers that be, about the government, its ruling political party and a favoured company.
Specifically, the journalists had discovered that, just before the general elections last year, substantial taxpayer funds from state-owned oil company PetroSA apparently went to the African National Congress by way of a private company called Imvume Management.
It is ill-fated because now the whole world is watching South Africa and Oilgate. The Economist called the censorship “ominous” and the Freedom of Expression Institute, based in Canada, said: “The story is a matter of serious public interest, as allegations have been made concerning the improper use of taxpayers’ money to bolster the ruling party during the run-up to national elections. It is clear that in this instance, the right to freedom of expression of the newspaper should outweigh the right to privacy and dignity of Imvume, as the matter concerns an abuse of public funds.”
More: journalism.co.za
Related MBA Information
Press freedom violated
Mozambican authorities violated the freedom of the press several times last year and even created a "climate of fear" in some districts, the head of a Southern African media watchdog has said. "Between January and December 2004, the freedom of the press was violated several times," Salomao Moyana of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) told a news conference on Tuesday. "In some districts there is an atmosphere of fear ," he said. He said this was specially true of local community radio networks where district administrators played around with news content and often "assumed the role of editors". More:
Press freedom ’elusive’ in Africa
Press freedom remained an unachieved goal in Africa in 2004, with independent journalists battling censorship, hate media and random violence, media watchdog group Reporters without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday. "Press freedom too often remains a frustrated hope in Africa. Journalists pay with their blood or their freedom for the despotism that continues in some countries," RSF said in its annual report released on World Press Freedom Day. The Paris-based organisation singled out Eritrea and Zimbabwe as countries where press freedom is in a "very serious situation" - the worst grade on its worldwide index. Rwanda, Ivory Coast and the
Zimbabwe’s lonely record over Press freedom in Africa
Although Kenyans complain about the difficulty of getting information, other journalists gave a gloomy picture of the profession in their countries. Take the case of Zimbabwe, where being a journalist is like signing a death warrant. John Gambanga, an editor in Zimbabwe, feels sorry about the developments in a country once referred to as "God’s own country" by early white settlers. Gambanga is the editor of The Daily News, an independent newspaper that has borne the brunt of President Robert Mugabe’s high-handedness. "The slogan of our paper is ‘Telling it as it is’ and so I will tell the story of media in Zimbabwe
West African media network to be established by afrol News Canarias
afrol News' newly established daughter company in Canary Islands has entered agreements with the government of the autonomous Spanish islands and a grouping of independent West African media to establish a news exchange network among the free media of the region. The project aims at strengthening press freedom in West Africa through empowering independent media and through technology transfer. Editors of the Oslo-based news agency last week were in Canary Islands to attend the official opening of 'afrol News Canarias', a fully owned daughter of afrol News (Oslo). The inauguration was announced by Javier Morales Febles, the Canary Islands' Foreign
ress Freedom Day celebrated in region noted for press curbs
While press curbs and censorship still occur across West Africa, UNESCO this year has chosen to celebrate World Press Freedom day on Wednesday in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. "We wanted to compliment Senegal for its achievements in respecting press freedom and democracy," Morgens Schmidt, an official of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, told IRIN. But even in Senegal the government of President Abdoulaye Wade has shown increasing if rare irritation with journalists in recent years. In October 2003, Sophie Malibeaux, the correspondent for Radio France Internationale (RFI), was expelled from Senegal for allegedly threatening public security after interviewing
Cafe Africa discussions
Fayza Hassan, a 67-year-old widow, explains why she feels like a star growing old in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. My city is the best place to grow old in because within our society elders automatically command respect. I have a great social life and can do exactly what I want now. I feel like a star! As a widow I can do all sorts of things that other women cannot. My daughter is a divorcee and because of it she is always watching herself, but eventually she will gain her freedom. I enjoy being an old lady immensely. I have real
Independent News Hit By Media ’Malaise’
0925 GMT [Dow Jones] DUBLIN--Merrion Stockbrokers says Independent News & Media (INWS.DB) has been hit by a "malaise" afflicting media shares, but its exposure to high growth markets in Ireland and South Africa, and positioning of APN News & Media's (APN.AU) properties, provide "firm foundation" for 16.1c EPS in 05 vs 14.2c in 04 and 12% EPS growth in 06. Independent shares -0.8% at EUR2.38. (QAF). More: newratings.com
Bush, Blair Affirm Commitments in Middle East, Africa
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2005 – The United States and Great Britain share a common commitment to spreading peace and freedom in the world and are working together to promote that vision - in Iraq, Afghanistan, the greater Middle East and Africa, the leaders of the two countries affirmed during a news conference here June 7. "Our alliance with Great Britain is strong, and it's essential to peace and security," President Bush told reporters at the White House. It's a commitment Bush said has remained constant between the two countries. "Together, our two nations worked to liberate Europe from fascism. Together, we
Journalists Mark World Press Freedom Day
There was no freedom for Shi Tao and Florence Aubenas on World Press Freedom Day, or for Dawit Isaak, or for Marie-Jeanne Ion, or for Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, or for ... But they were remembered Tuesday. Even in press-hostile countries, journalists held marches and sit-ins to demand an end to the threats media workers face: killings, prison, kidnapping, government censorship and other abuses. The list of reporters in jail, held hostage, or killed on the job was particularly long this year -- in part because of the violence in Iraq. The number of dead is higher than it has
Softer news for southern Africa
The overwhelming majority of women in Southern Africa would prefer to see more women quoted in the news media. This has been revealed by a study conducted by the lobby group Gender Links, in six Southern African countries. At least 76% of women respondents in the study said the news would be more interesting if the ideas and views women were reported more often. At least 56% of men respondents also held this view. The study was released at the SABC in Auckland Park, Johannesburg last night. The launch coincides with the celebration of World Press Freedom day. Gender links found that