Violent events are an everyday feature for the media in SA. It may be argued that certain horrific visuals are necessary to report the reality of violent events, such as the recent xenophobic attacks....
In a problematic society such as South Africa, where the media have their hands full in reporting on violent crime, it is not surprising to see gruesome visuals of dead bodies in media, to the dismay of sensitive viewers and readers. While editors argue that their audiences have the right to see and...
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is sticking its guns and will proceed with an urgent submission to the president regarding the constitutionality of the “controversial” Films Publications Amendment Bill. Read the full article that appeared in the Weekender on September 20, 200...
The Constitutional Court has reserved judgment on a ban prohibiting journalists from reporting on divorce cases. Earlier this year, the Cape High Court ruled that Section 12 of the Divorce Act was unconstitutional after media group Johncorn (now Avusa) brought an application challenging it. Read the...
By mid-May 2008 xenophobic violence had reached new levels in South Africa that forced tens of thousands of immigrants, mostly from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, out of their homes and burning businesses to the streets, shelters, or back to their native countries. The riots spread to seven of the...
A number of civil-society organisations will form a coalition to address the problems that have beset the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a joint statement issued on Wednesday said. This follows a meeting convened by the Media Monitoring Project and the Open Society Foundation on Tues...
The Media Monitoring Project (MMP) says it agrees with the Sunday Times that a section of the Divorce Act limits freedom of expression and is unconstitutional, but says the aim of protecting the privacy of children of divorcing parents is also important. Read the full Business Day article....
The knives are out for Dali Mpofu, the SABC chief executive caught in the crossfire between the corporation’s new board and its management, ostensibly over the performance of the national broadcaster. Read the story on IOL news...
The much vaunted pay television wars may not materialise – for the time being at least – with potential competitors of the MultiChoice monopoly unlikely to start broadcasting this year. Read the full article on IOL News...