The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) condemns the call by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande for special “insult law protection” for President Jacob Zuma. Nzimande warned, ominously, that the “people” could retaliate and “undo the 1994 deal” should the insults continue.
The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) condemns the call by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande for special “insult law protection” for President Jacob Zuma. Nzimande warned, ominously, that the “people” could retaliate and “undo the 1994 deal” should the insults continue.
In a statement on Tuesday, Sanef said it is startled by these remarks which show that Nzimande has ignored the strong opposition by journalists, lawyers and freedom of expression activists to such a law because of the censorship it promotes and dangers for journalists.
The law is widely used in Africa and has resulted in many journalists spending lengthy periods in jail and the closure of media outlets.
Nzimande’s call ignores the Declaration of Table Mountain unveiled in 2007 by the World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors’ Forum, which calls for the scrapping of insult and criminal defamation laws throughout Africa.
Instead of calling for the law Nzimande should recognise that it is against SA’s Constitution, the press statement said.
Sanef said it is gratified to note that senior structures of the ANC have not backed Nzimande. “We are confident that the party will be guided by a commitment to constitutional principles and will thus not entertain Nzimande’s call,” it read.
