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. These measures pose serious threats to press freedom and set a dangerous precedent for the entire South African region. Furthermore, these proposals serve as evidence of the backsliding in South Africa, which informed the Freedom House downgrade from Free to Partly Free in the Freedom of the Press Index 2010.
The mission brought together free expression advocates from around the world and the region to advocate for the protection of free speech and independent media. In addition to Freedom House, ARTICLE 19, Committee to Protect Journalists, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), and World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) participated. The mission met with stakeholders from the media industry, the African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties, and civil society to discuss the proposed Protection of State Information Bill and media regulation developments.
Freedom House Director, Freedom of the Press, Karin Karlekar, briefing ANC members
The increasingly restrictive press environment in South Africa is alarming, given that a free and independent press is essential to ensure government accountability and a democratic society. Already, the South African government is hampering journalists’ ability to report corruption and the Judiciary’s ability to prosecute the Executive Branch for such violations. Without preventative action to stop this trajectory, South Africa risks entering an antidemocratic spiral from which it would be difficult to escape, and which sends a pernicious signal to its regional neighbors.
Mission members viewing a photo of former President Nelson Mandela
For more information see:
South Africa: Democracy, Rule of Law, and the Future
Blog: South Africa’s Press Freedom tug-of-war
Press Release: New Press Legislation in South Africa Raises Alarm
Freedom of the Press 2011: South Africa