Cablegate: South African Media Says Press Freedom Imperiled By

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TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SCUL KDEM KPAO SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA SAYS PRESS FREEDOM IMPERILED BY
GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

(U) This cable is Sensitive But Unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution.

1. (U) A government proposal to amend South African's Films &
Publications Act has been met by howls of protest from media groups
who say it would bring back pervasive censorship not seen since the
apartheid era. Currently, the Act exempts newspapers from the
publications covered by its censorship and classification
provisions. The draft amendments would remove that exemption for
newspapers and explicitly place broadcast media, which is regulated
by other legislation, under its purview. Media advocates argue that
those and other changes would force news groups to submit for
pre-publication review material that could be viewed as sexual
conduct, war propaganda, incitement to imminent violence or advocacy
of hatred on any "identifiable group characteristic."

2. (SBU) The Ministry of Home Affairs, which put forth the
amendments, after days of silence finally responded to the criticism
when a spokesperson was quoted in local media on August 19 as saying
the government was largely concerned about where South Africa's
often racy tabloid newspapers were sold. The spokesperson, Mantshele
wa ga Tau, also was quoted as saying there would be no
pre-censorship under the proposed amendments. The articles suggested
the Ministry was open to changes in its draft proposal. The
amendments, which still must be debated and approved by Parliament,
also would bring interactive computer games, cell phones and the
Internet under the law.

3. (SBU) Comment: The proposed amendments to the Films &
Publications Act represent the second time in recent months that
South African ministries have proposed legislative changes that have
touched off harsh criticism from freedom-of-expression advocates.
Earlier this year, the Communications Minister proposed that she be
allowed to hire and fire councilors to South Africa's broadcast
regulatory body, which critics said would compromise its integrity.
Ultimately, the Ministry backed down from the proposal, which
President Thabo Mbeki also opposed. Reported comments from the
Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman now suggest the draft amendments
to the Films & Publications Act also may be changed in the face of
widespread criticism.

4. (SBU) Comment continued: If nothing else, these two examples
suggest a lack of sensitivity in at least some ministries toward the
importance of an independent media. A vibrant press free to
criticize national leaders is a key element to the success of South
Africa's young democracy; Embassy Pretoria will continue to monitor
and report on further developments that may affect that freedom.

BOST

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