Could Spy Bill inhibit SABC journalists' media freedom?

Clarence Ford speaks to Lindsay Dentlinger, Eyewitness News Reporter.

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill is currently before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for a second round of public consultation.

However, there are concerns that journalists at SABC could face undue security vetting, if provisions of the new Intelligence Bill are not tightened up.

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The National Assembly has made several changes to the Bill to protect the public, but it appears there may be a loophole which will impact journalists at the public broadcaster. 

SABC buildings are deemed critical infrastructure which means people would have to be vetted before they could have access under this new law.

“This could impact on journalists and editors that work there and could compromise their media freedom and their ability to keep their sources confidential.”

- Lindsay Dentlinger, Eyewitness News Reporter

The National Assembly is trying to have the Bill published before the end of their parliamentary term, which Dentlinger says seems unlikely.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.