New film and publication regulations ‘take us back to apartheid censorship’
Media Monitoring Africa calls for the withdrawal of new regulations by the Film and Publications Board (FPB).
Picture: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
John Maytham speaks with William Bird from Media Monitoring Africa (MMA).
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
The FPB has introduced new regulations intended to combat misinformation around elections.
However, MMA and other media organisations say these regulations restrict free speech.
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They're calling for the immediate withdrawal of these regulations, and have threatened legal action if the rulings aren't removed by 4 April.
“We hope sense will prevail.”
- William Bird from Media Monitoring Africa
Critics argue the vague definitions of misinformation and disinformation open the door to abuse and silencing dissenting voices.
“This is something the apartheid censors’ ghosts would have been thrilled and delighted to be seeing.”
- William Bird from Media Monitoring Africa
Of course it's necessary to combat disinformation, Bird says, but it cannot come with limiting freedom of speech.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.