Freedom of expression under siege?

[wynn]

One wonders just what other issues they are afraid of being aired on the public domain.

Wait for the Reserve Bank scandal to rupture, traced back to Stals through Mbeki, Manual, Mboweni and Marcus.
Billions involved, scary.

See the latest noseweek.

[Dave A]

The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) held "tense" talks with the ANC in Johannesburg on Thursday about a proposed media appeals tribunal.
full story from M&G here

Not very encouraging, frankly.

[AndyD]

This is a truly worrying issue. The SABC is standing proof that government controlled media is worthless. I'm hoping that when they eventually introduce this bill it's put in the ground once and for all by the constitutional court.

This is exactly the kind of legislation that can bite this country in the ass at a later date when it's in the hands of a future government with a more sinister agenda.

I have strong suspicions it's another part of an ongoing attempt to stop past indiscretions coming to light. It's coming from the fear of the world seeing how rotten and corrupt to the core the foundations of the ruling party actually are.

[Dave A]

The ANC still seems set on getting their way on the media tribunal issue:

The African National Congress will press on Wednesday for a new tribunal to punish unscrupulous reporting that has been heavily criticised as a plan to muzzle the press.

The ANC's media panel will meet behind closed doors at the party's national general council, one of its most important political events in years, to iron out details of the plan heartily embraced by its leaders.
full story from M&G here

while M&G's editor Nic Dawes raises an interesting angle on this:

"I think that really the reason we've seen the debate ratchet up to this level now is not that the press has suddenly become much worse than it was five years ago or 10 years ago, but that there's a crisis of hegemony within the governing party," he said.

"That is to say, it's no longer in control of itself and its relations with its alliance partners. And also a crisis of legitimacy."

That crisis was not yet been expressed at the ballot box, but had been clearly shown in the recent public-sector strike.
full story from M&G here

Certainly government/ANC seems to attract more bad press than it used to 5 and ten years ago. No doubt something's heading the wrong way.

But it begs the question - has media reporting become "worse" because of a drop in standards in the media industry, or a drop in standards in the corridors of power?

[garthu]

At the same time, the government really are trying to make it difficult for themselves now anyway. 3 reporters got arrested today for taking pics of poachers.... thats really not going to go down well with the press and make sure they will make good use of it!!!

My opinion, governance has got worse... i think press is more cautious than they used to be if anything... they know they got cuck when they stuff up now so surely on there guard.

Politicians have alot to hide ..always...

[AndyD]

I would also be interested to see what charges they bring against poor old Pig Spotter if or when they find him.

Edit
Just to annoy the powers that be here's his twitter profile. https://twitter.com/pigspotter

[desA]

What's with the pigs trying to nail the PigSpotter?

Surely he's exercising his human right?

[Dave A]

Defeating the ends of justice, obstructing or hindering a police officer from carrying out his lawful duties...

EDIT: add (possibly) operating a Blackberry while driving (I just checked out his profile).
19000 followers - impressive!

[desA]

Defeating the ends of justice, obstructing or hindering a police officer from carrying out his lawful duties...

The man's a legend...

[desA]

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-09-...spotters-bacon

An interesting read.

For all the members who supported this invasion of PigSpotter's rights without even blinking. Shame on you...