Posts

Electoral integrity in Africa – why does it matter?

In South Africa, the Electoral Act contains an Electoral Code of Conduct aimed at promoting “conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections” and that create a climate of tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate. The Independent Electoral Commission oversees the country’s election process and will be expected to uphold the values Read more >

Media freedom in Southern Africa – part two

Part two of our series on media freedom in the Southern African region looks at positive developments around this issue. Some countries – including South Africa – are working on abolishing the criminal defamation law, and meanwhile the African Court has ruled that jail terms for journalists found guilty of the offence, are a violation Read more >

Lifting the lid on media freedom in Southern Africa

Our new two-part series examines some of the ways that governments in Southern Africa attempt to muzzle investigative journalists. In part one, a trio of journalists who have been targeted share their individual experiences with us. Look out for part two, which looks at positive developments around this issue, tomorrow. Part one They have been Read more >

Civil society organisations challenge High Court

Corruption Watch is one of 11 civil society groups intervening as amici curiae in a challenge to a High Court judgment relating to the City of Cape Town’s dispute with Sanral. The organisations are concerned that the judgment, handed down in August 2014 by Judge Ashley Binns-Ward, will limit media freedom and access to High Read more >

Press freedom crucial to fighting corruption

Media freedom in South Africa is increasingly threatened and an urgent intervention is needed to deal with the declining independence of the press. This was the general feeling shared by delegates at the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) media freedom symposium, held last Thursday, 14 August, in Johannesburg. The prevalence of corruption is linked to Read more >