Sanef not happy with changes to the Protection of Information Bill
Lusanda Bill
20 September 2010
The South African Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has stated that the proposed changes to the Protection of Information Bill, which was announced by Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele falls far short of rendering the bill compliant with the constitution.
Sanef had a meeting in Durban where it welcomed the indication by the minister of a willingness to look over the definition of ‘national interest’.
Sanef has suggested that the drafters of the bill engage with the forum and other stakeholders.
By the drafters meeting with sanef and stakeholders, issues of the bill being a threat to the free flow of information and also the right for citizens to be informed could be addressed.
Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele presented to Parliament a tweaked version of the bill on Friday.
The minister has admitted that government was concerned about the negative publicity on the country’s image because of the proposed secrecy laws that have continued to draw fire from civil society and the media.
20 September 2010
The South African Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has stated that the proposed changes to the Protection of Information Bill, which was announced by Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele falls far short of rendering the bill compliant with the constitution.
Sanef had a meeting in Durban where it welcomed the indication by the minister of a willingness to look over the definition of ‘national interest’.
Sanef has suggested that the drafters of the bill engage with the forum and other stakeholders.
By the drafters meeting with sanef and stakeholders, issues of the bill being a threat to the free flow of information and also the right for citizens to be informed could be addressed.
Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele presented to Parliament a tweaked version of the bill on Friday.
The minister has admitted that government was concerned about the negative publicity on the country’s image because of the proposed secrecy laws that have continued to draw fire from civil society and the media.
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