South Africa

51 million people
6,690 USD GNI (PPP)
Internet:
Free
Press:
Partly Free
Free

Population and GNI data source

News & Updates

In the News

A second-term democracy agenda

Nov 30 2012 - 1:43pm



David J. Kramer and Arch Puddington outline what President Obama's democracy agenda should be in his second term in the following Washington Post op-ed.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Human Rights Defense, U.S. Foreign Policy
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
Press Release

South Africa: Secrecy Bill Puts Free Expression at Risk

Sep 20 2012 - 4:03pm

The International Partnership on Freedom of Expression in South Africa, a delegation of regional and international rights groups, raised their opposition to a proposed secrecy bill and threats of state regulation of the press during a joint mission to South Africa from Sept. 8-14. The Partnership met with stakeholders from the media industry, the ANC and opposition parties, and civil society to discuss the proposed Protection of State Information Bill and media regulation developments.

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Sub-Saharan Africa
Press Release

New Report: Lack of Institutional Reform Hinders Democratic Progress in the Middle East

Sep 17 2012 - 11:54am

Nearly two years after a wave of popular uprisings began in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a lack of substantive institutional reform has left states struggling to maintain democratic achievements, according to a new Freedom House report. The findings illuminate reform failures that have contributed to recent violence across the MENA region.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
Press Release

Killing of Protesters in South Africa Highlights Pattern of Excessive Force

Aug 17 2012 - 3:39pm

Freedom House is alarmed by the clashes between South African police and demonstrating miners that resulted in 34 dead and 78 injured and calls for thorough investigation into what appears to be a disproportional use of force against civilians. 

Issues: 
Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Sub-Saharan Africa

Experts

Karin Deutsch Karlekar

Project Director of "Freedom of the Press"


Issues: 
Media Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa

Signature Reports

Freedom in the World

Freedom on the Net

Freedom of the Press

Countries at the Crossroads

Special Reports

Programs

Freedom of Expression Mission to South Africa

In September 2012, Freedom House led an International Freedom of Expression Mission to South Africa in order to address ongoing concerns about the passage of the repressive Protection of State Information Bill and the implementation of a government-controlled Media Appeals Tribunal. T

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Sub-Saharan Africa