AltMediaF statement on Film and Publications Act amendment
The proposed amendment to the Film and Publications Act is a regressive, step in the wrong direction, and to be condemned by all those who believe in press freedom, however the Alternative Media Forum believes more should be done by South Africa's press to avoid self-censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech in the newsroom.
While South Africa's press freedom is enshrined in article 16 (1) (in chapter two of our constitution), the only constraints against press freedom in South Africa's constitution are in section 16 (2). Press freedom does not extend to "propaganda for war; incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm." How much hate speech and propaganda for war have we seen plugged by South Africa's Media Houses over the last few years?
The Home Affairs Ministry has proposed that the current exemption on pre-publication censorship in the Act be removed, with the effect that the print and broadcast media may be subjected to the dictates of the Film and Publications board. The result amounts to the regulation and licencing of South Africa's print media which has for decades enjoyed relative freedom as the "fourth estate". The step however, is to be expected in a climate in which regulation of press freedom has fallen upon the dictates of a few corporate bosses and the boardrooms of large corporations who have no business being in media.
How many journalists have been censored simply for exercising their rights to resist violence and war? South Africa's media has a lot to answer for in its coverage of the Middle East crisis, and the War against Terror. In fact the real pedofiles are those who believe they can suppress the truth, and ignore the anti-war movement and their recent call for sanctions against Israel, a state built upon terror. Baby killers across the globe are being given succour by the media while peace activists go missing, reporters have their houses trashed, and people are detained in the name of globalisation and empire building.
We call upon the National Editor's Forum and its allies to abandon its policy of blacklisting those it does not agree with, and to stop banning journalists who question the international system. We also call upon our government to let the constitution guide law-making and to avoid contradicting article 16 of our Bill of Rights
For more information about the amendment: http://www.sangonet.org.za/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4937&Itemid=1
While South Africa's press freedom is enshrined in article 16 (1) (in chapter two of our constitution), the only constraints against press freedom in South Africa's constitution are in section 16 (2). Press freedom does not extend to "propaganda for war; incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm." How much hate speech and propaganda for war have we seen plugged by South Africa's Media Houses over the last few years?
The Home Affairs Ministry has proposed that the current exemption on pre-publication censorship in the Act be removed, with the effect that the print and broadcast media may be subjected to the dictates of the Film and Publications board. The result amounts to the regulation and licencing of South Africa's print media which has for decades enjoyed relative freedom as the "fourth estate". The step however, is to be expected in a climate in which regulation of press freedom has fallen upon the dictates of a few corporate bosses and the boardrooms of large corporations who have no business being in media.
How many journalists have been censored simply for exercising their rights to resist violence and war? South Africa's media has a lot to answer for in its coverage of the Middle East crisis, and the War against Terror. In fact the real pedofiles are those who believe they can suppress the truth, and ignore the anti-war movement and their recent call for sanctions against Israel, a state built upon terror. Baby killers across the globe are being given succour by the media while peace activists go missing, reporters have their houses trashed, and people are detained in the name of globalisation and empire building.
We call upon the National Editor's Forum and its allies to abandon its policy of blacklisting those it does not agree with, and to stop banning journalists who question the international system. We also call upon our government to let the constitution guide law-making and to avoid contradicting article 16 of our Bill of Rights
For more information about the amendment: http://www.sangonet.org.za/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4937&Itemid=1
posted by ethnopunk @ 2:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home