Melissa Moore from the Freedom of Expression Institute spoke about the global/national freedom of expression context. She started with some background information about the FXI and its role in fighting for freedom of expression; access to information and to defend against any form of censorship.

 

She argued that freedom of expression was becoming increasingly repressive in South Africa as evidenced by the proposed introduction of various pieces of legislation like the Protection of Personal Information and the Film and Publications Act which are taking South Africa back to a regulatory censorship regime. These pieces of legislation will impact on gathering news and the pre-publication vetting poses a huge threat as well as the fact as it attempts to get journalists to reveal their sources. The pursuit of truth and the advancement of individual autonomy are also being undermined.

 

In coming to why this was important to and for community media, she made the point that community media works at the grassroots and therefore can get to the crux of what is happening in the country. By allowing people to have a voice, a forum to express their views and opinions, community media can play an important role in ensuring that communities are less inclined to take to the streets and that the spate of violent protests spreading across the country are indicative of peoples’ lack of voice and platforms for expression.

 

She stressed the usefulness of building capacity and developing a series of workshops to bolster knowledge about the laws and its implications as well as the importance of networking and collaborating to oppose all forms of censorship.