This talk discusses the main restrictions that South African government implemented on public media in the period 2012-2015, in the name of national security, largely under National Key Points Act, an apartheid-era antiterrorism measure that restricts reporting on sites or institutions classified essential to the national interest, such as security forces and prisons. Examples of restrictions on press freedom beyond national key points are given, including journalists having limited access to information of public interest, state monitoring and censorship of telecommunications systems, and restrictions on reporting on prominent political and business figures. The assessment of the legal, political and economic environments that shape the implementation of National Key Points Act serves as an overall background for the discussion. The talk also refers to vociferous objections to press freedom restrictions from civil society organizations, who point out that the restrictions undermine the country’s young democratic process. The discussion is informed by relevant literature, including scholarship from journalists and civil society organizations generally.
José Katito . Instituto Superior Politécnico Lusíada do Huambo, Angola . jose.katito4studies@gmail.com
