Report on cases of the Anti-Censorship Programme

In May 2003 the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) released a report on the activities of its Anti-Censorship Programme (ACP), which was established in July 2002 to address the sharp rise in the number of censorship cases that FXI was asked to handle. The report provides data to indicate that this trend has continued: censorship is increasing in South Africa.

It is not "traditional" types of violations of media freedom (like direct, government-supported censorship of journalist) that ACP has been called on to investigate. Rather, the report notes that it is the more unmediated and popular forms of expression that are threatened, especially those involving mass meetings, assemblies and demonstrations, and the use of popular media like pamphlets.

For example, as described in the report, the ACP is supporting an activist who has been accused of defamation for the contents of a pamphlet against the conduct of an inner-city property owner. In other cases, attempts have been made to censor residents of communities suffering environmental pollution by large companies. Union leaders have been prevented from advocating anti-privatisation views. The ACP has also taken up cases of artists whose songs have been censored for offensive lyrics. Attempts to censor "hate speech", the report points out, are taking place more and more often. The health sector is also experiencing more censorship. Over 20 specific cases of censorship are detailed in the report.

FXI attributes these trends to increases in unemployment and income inequality in South Africa. According to one scale, 45% of the economically active population is unemployed. In 1995, the average white household earned four times as much as the average African household. In 2000, the former earned six times as much. In this context, independent social movements have been instigated around access to basic services and affordable health care.

In some cases, victims are reluctant to provide information required for an investigation because they fear jeopardising their jobs, for example. The report also points out that victims of censorship in rural areas have little or no institutional support, and are in many ways marginalised by the mainstream media.

Click here for the full report on the FXI site.