FCA comments on media freedom

In its view, there appears to be a deliberate attempt by the governing party, through proposed legislation, to curb the profession's ability to hold the government to task.

A free and open press is one of the pillars of democracy and unfortunately, there is little evidence of this on the African continent, other than in South Africa. Any attempt by government to control, monitor or limit the ability of journalists to do their job threatens democracy.

That a media house is forced to go to court to release a journalist being held without charges and no apparent case, is eerily reminiscent of what it has seen in Zimbabwe and other countries with a tradition of intimidating journalists.

For more on the FCA, go to www.fcasa.co.za.