World Press Freedom Day -May 3 2003

01.05.2003

On May 3, 2003, the South African chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-SA), ARTICLE 19- Global Campaign for Free Expression, South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), Wits Journalism School and the Wits Media Studies Programme will host a panel discussion on censorship laws at the Wits Graduate School for Social Sciences and Humanities from 08:30 - 12:00.

World Press Freedom Day - May 3 2003

SCRAP REPRESSIVE MEDIA LAWS!

On May 3, 2003, the South African chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-SA), ARTICLE 19- Global Campaign for Free Expression, South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), Wits Journalism School and the Wits Media Studies Programme will host a panel discussion on insult and censorship laws at the Wits Graduate School for Social Sciences and Humanities from 08:30 - 12:00.

The above institutions along with several international organisations have embarked on a campaign against insult laws and censorship laws around the world. The media is relatively free in only about one third of the world's countries.

"Insult laws", so-called because they are derived from the concept of the "divine right of kings" - the monarch can do no wrong-- constitute a pernicious restraint on media freedom. They are one of the leading pretexts for restricting free speech, free information, free commentary and opinion - the basic elements that make up freedom of the press. "Insult laws" make it a crime to offend the 'honor and dignity" of heads of states, public officials, state offices, and national institutions. Many African countries have maintained insult laws on their statute books and frequently invoke them against journalists in ways that violate guarantees of free expression and access to information laid down in both national constitutions and international treaties.

We regard the media's freedom to gather and disseminate news and information and freedom of expression for the public at large as essential components of good governance, one of the core principles of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative. Indeed, we believe there cannot be good governance if the media is not free or if it is subject to laws, which inhibit or prevent the gathering and dissemination of news and information. In particular, there cannot be good governance if countries raise barriers- such as repressive media laws - to protect public officials and others accorded this privilege against critical scrutiny of their activities and conduct in office.

Panel Discussion

PROGRAMME

Venue: WITS Graduate School for Social Sciences and Humanities

Time: 08: 30 - 12: 00

08:30 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 09:10 Welcome - WITS

09:10 - 09:20 CONTINENTAL OVERVIEW AND LAUNCH OF DEFAMATION PACKS

Fatou Jagne

Article 19 - Africa Programme Officer

09:20 - 09:40 INSULT LAWS CAMPAIGN

Raymond Louw

MISA-SA - National Governing Council