Sanef

BCCSA chairperson’s report 2007 – 2008. With fourteen years of democracy behind us, an important question is whether the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) has lived up to the ideals of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Three main questions emerge: is the BCCSA an independent judicial body, is fairness a cornerstone of its procedure and its application of the Broadcasting Code, and does it protect fundamental human rights?

Participants in the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation seminar, Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press (Windhoek, Namibia,1991), and recalling, among other UN resolutions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights resolution 59(I) of 14 December 1946, which states that freedom of information is a fundamental human right, released this declaration regarding the establishment, maintenance and fostering of independent, pluralistic and free press in African countries.

The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum, meeting at the 60th World Newspaper Congress and 14th World Editors Forum Conference in Cape Town in 2007, noted that in country after country in Africa, the press is crippled by repressive measures, from the jailing and persecution of journalists to the widespread scourge of “insult laws” and criminal defamation, used ruthlessly by governments to prevent critical appraisal of their performance and to deprive the public of information about their misdemeanours. This declaration is a statement by the WAN and WEF of their conviction that Africa urgently needs a strong, free press.

Continental obstacles to press freedom. Cheriff Sy, publisher, Bendré, Burkina Faso.

Toyi-toying on a tightrope: balancing rights to privacy and dignity with freedom of expression in the South African context. Guy Berger, 19 October 2007.

Why media freedom matters and how it relates to questions of national and public interest. Snuki Zikalala.

Media, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Saber Ahmed Jazbhay.

Transformation of a society in transition. Conference transcript Vol.1.

Transformation of a society in transition. Conference transcript, 18 & 19 October 2005 Vol. 2.

Transformation of the media in a society in transition. Prof. Kwame Karikari.

Contribution to Sanef panel discussion, 19 October 2005. Mary De Haas.

Media freedom. Guy Berger.

The media have a responsibility to serve the aims set out in the Constitution. Joe Thloloe.

Significance of Sanef media freedom conference. Jovial Rantao.

The Online Publishers’ Association of South Africa (OPA) made representations on the Convergence Bill.

Sanef’s written submission on the Icasa Amendment Bill (B 32-2005), in which it recognises the timely promulgation of the Bill and supports the central objective of strengthening the regulator and creating certainty around this area of the communications environment. However, Sanef registers its strong opposition to any amendments which in any way reduce the independence of the regulator or its ability to carry out its constitutional obligations.

This briefing note on the sub judice rule was prepared by Glenn Penfold of Webber Wentzel Bowens for Sanef on 4 March 2005. The rule prohibits the publication of material that may prejudice the administration of justice in relation to pending proceedings. A breach of the sub judice rule may result in a successful prosecution for contempt of court and is the subject of much debate because of its possible impact on journalists.

Gala dinner address by Charles Nqakula, former vice-president of Union of Black Journalists.

Toyi-toying on a tightrope: Balancing rights to privacy and dignity with freedom of expression in the South African context. Guy Berger.

Keynote address: Continental threats to press freedom. Cheriff Sy.

Significance of this year’s conference. Jovial Rantao.

Welcome address. Eddie Funde.