Freedom House

Freedom House is encouraged by the proposed changes to South Africa’s controversial Protection of State Information Bill. Amendments to the bill will provide better protections for journalists but do not go far enough to prevent retribution against journalists who report on official corruption. Moreover, the increasingly restrictive legal environment for independent media in South Africa remains a cause for serious concern.

Issues:

Media Freedom, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Freedom Alert

South African Court: Zimbabwean Rights Abusers Must be Investigated

May 8 2012 - 3:20pm

Tuesday's ruling by a High Court in South Africa, which mandates that authorities investigate Zimbabwean officials implicated in human rights abuses, demonstrates the court's commitment to the rule of law and represents a vital first step in assuring accountability for key perpetrators of violence in Zimbabwe.

Issues:

Democratic Governance, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Freedom Alert

ANC Postpones Debate on Protection of Information Bill

Sep 19 2011 - 7:00pm

The African National Congress (ANC) will reschedule its September 20 debate on the Protection of Information Bill to next quarter due to public outcry and accusations that the legislation threatens freedom of expression. The ANC is divided on the bill and plans to consult with groups against the bill before resuming debate—the groups hope to rewrite the bill, which has no “public interest defense,” threatening journalists who disclose protected information. The Protection of Information Bill would regulate the distribution of state information, “weighing state interests against transparency and freedom of expression.” On August 31, the ANC told a special committee that it would not add a clause to protect the public interest, because it did not consider journalists a separate class.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa, 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

Freedom in Sub-Saharan Africa 2007

Freedom House released an analysis of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa showing that the region has experienced notable increases in freedom over the past generation, although more setbacks than gains were seen in 2006.

Issues:

Democratic Governance

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

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