Mail & Guardian reports that on 27 March the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) and Print Media South Africa (PMSA) lodged their objections to the contentious Protection of State Information Bill (aka Secrecy Bill) in Parliament and highlighted the absence of a public interest defence clause that would protect journalists and whistleblowers who publish classified information.
Sanef and PMSA maintained that while the objectives of the bill would improve the way the government handles sensitive and valuable information, the bill in its current state falls short of safeguarding democracy as journalists and citizens could face prison sentences for whistleblowing on classified matters.
