freedom of expression

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has expressed deep disappointment with Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana’s attitude to freedom of expression.

In a press statement, the FXI argues that, “Her statement that the art exhibition of young female artist and lesbian activist, Zanele Muholi, of naked, black women embracing each other, is ‘immoral, offensive and against nation building’, is highly regrettable and is indicative of a blatant disregard and disrespect for the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”

The controversy surrounding the voters’ register and a pending court case in which opposition parties dispute the outcome of the November 2009 presidential and national assembly election results in Namibia, is bad news for democracy in that country, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and for the African continent in general.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) intends urgently asking the Law Reform Commission to review laws compelling journalists to disclose confidential sources.

In a press statement, FXI argues that, "The interests of the effective administration of justice and maintenance of law and order compete with the right to freedom of expression."

The FXI comments come after e.tv journalists were subpoenaed to reveal the sources of a broadcast showing self-confessed criminals threatening to rob and murder tourists during the Soccer World Cup.

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) has rejected the African National Congress Youth League's semi-retraction of statements issued to intimidate whistleblowers.

The ANCYL in Mpumalanga changed a threatening statement they issued, in which they warned whistle-blowers to ‘book an early grave’.

Provincial secretary of the league, Isaac Mahlangu, points out that, "When we said machine gun, we were talking about the same tool that these campaigners use to attack us - the media."

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is ‘ecstatic’ that United States secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, hand signed orders that end the exclusion of political commentator Professor Adam Habib from the US.

Habib, who is the deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Johannesburg, points out that, “My family and I are thrilled by secretary Clinton’s decision, and we are thankful to the many organisations that put pressure on the Obama administration to stop excluding people from the US on the basis of their political views.

A prominent human-rights leader is still behind bars in Guinea, almost two weeks after special service agents detained him.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the immediate release of Mouctar Diallo, a human-rights activist imprisoned in the Guinean capital Conakry.

Human Rights Watch West Africa Researcher, Corinne Dufka, says the ruling National Council for Democracy and Development wants to silence political opposition.

Anti-Corruption Plain Language Guide provides standardised, easy-to-understand definitions for 45 key terms commonly used by the anti-corruption movement – from ‘access to information’ to ‘whistle blowing’. Each term includes a practical example of how TI approaches these issues and helpful links for further research. Developed by the Transparency International, the guide also provides clarity on the terms that the anti-corruption movement uses most in its daily work as well as those associated with new and emerging issues.

The Portfolio Committee on Communications of parliament has, through adverts in a few expensive newspapers targeted at affluent readers, called for nominations for a new board of the public broadcaster the SABC. The closing date for nominations of board members is now 14 August (it was originally 31 July 2009).

The Ministerial Committee’s report on transformation and social cohesion and the elimination of discrimination in public higher education institutions, released recently, is one of the most comprehensive and balanced reports on the conditions undermining social cohesion, successful integration and, particularly, academic performance at our universities.