Press Freedom under threat?

The recent release of the Press Freedom Commission (PFC) report has made recommendations that the media should move away from self-regulation to independent co-regulation. This is the latest move in a long debate on media freedom in South Africa – from the so-called “Secrecy Bill” to the looming media appeals tribunal. But what do the recommendations by the PFC mean and how will this affect the work of journalists. To discuss the latest developments, Wits Journalism in partnership with Media Monitoring Africa is hosting a debate on press freedom. 

Chaired by Prof. Anton Harber, Caxton Professor of Journalism at Wits University, a panel consisting of well-known journalists, editors and academics will be debating the topic: Is Press Freedom under threat? The panel will consist of Mondli Makhanya from the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), Julie Reid from UNISA, Joe Latakgomo, public editor for the Sunday Times, and William Bird from Media Monitoring Africa. All editors, journalists, media personnel, media freedom and Right2Know-activists, and citizens are invited to the debate.