The Films and Publications Act, which governs the country’s media organizations, is set to by amended by Parliament in an effort to close loopholes that make the dissemination of child pornography possible. But before the Films and Publications Board, which is working on the draft legislation, can send the bill to Parliament, representatives from three of the countries media freedom organizations have called for more hearings, fearing that the bill would place them and their members under direct government censorship.
The South African National Editors’ Forum, the South African Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa and the Freedom of Expression Institute have banded together to express their “deep shock” at what they see as the “government’s intention to impose direct censorship on the print and broadcast media,” a spokesman for the group said.
The bill would regulate film and print publications by censoring certain types of material and imposing viewer age classification measures on other forms of content. The bill also would ban specific publications and limit the sale of others to certain types retail shops.
Of particular concern to the groups rallying against the bill is the amendment of an exemption for the nation’s news media. According to a spokesman for the three media groups, the Act had previously exempted news media outlets from government interference or pre-publication censorship.
“The home affairs ministry has now proposed without any warning or consultation, that the exemption be removed in the amending legislation,” the spokesman said.
Liberal-leaning South African political party Democratic Alliance spokesman Sandy Kalyan urged further public hearings on the matter so as to avoid what could be an issue for the country’s constitutional court to resolve.
“While the DA acknowledges that legislation aimed at curbing child pornography is necessary, the chairperson should ensure that there is proper consultation on the bill so that the concerns of all the relevant stakeholders are taken cognizance of,” Kalyan said.