Media body wants legislation to protect journalists’ sources
The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) wants legislation to protect the confidentiality of journalists’ sources. FXI has lodged a request with the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate the amendment to Section 205 of the Criminal Procedures Act.

This follows the earlier issuing of subpoenas calling on two e.tv staffers, Ben Said and Mpho Lakaje, to disclose their sources and confidential information. The subpoenas have been put aside since the police and television station have agreed on mediation.

Melissa Moore, FXI Acting Executive Director said “at the core of this conflict lies the question whether the public interest in compelling the journalist to reveal his or her source or confidential information clearly outweighs the public interest in the free flow of information.”

The South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF) also believes journalists should be treated in accordance with the principles outlined in the record of understanding reached between the Ministers of Justice and Safety and Security and the Director of Public Prosecutions and SANEF in 1999. The agreement states “the press and the media in a democratic society have a right and a duty, in the public interest, to collect and disseminate newsworthy information and in order to exercise this right and duty it is necessary, under appropriate circumstances that their sources and information should be protected.”

The FXI says the legislation should state in clear and precise terms the conditions under which compelled disclosure of confidential information is allowed. //End//
 
Reagan Malumo
Programme Officer: Media Freedom Monitoring and Research
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht St
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
Phone: +264 61 232 975
Fax: +264 61 248 016
Mobile: +264 81 311 2626

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