PAP media declaration hailed

[iolsa]

Johannesburg - A Pan African Parliament (Pap) decision to launch a continent-wide campaign to promote press freedom is a "major move",  Sanef said on Thursday.

"(We) regard this as a major move by a governmental institution to combat the growing secrecy adopted by most African governments in the conduct of affairs which should be open to the public," said  the SA National Editors' Forum in a statement.

Pap made a declaration on press freedom in Africa during a session in Midrand, Gauteng, on Wednesday.

It endorsed the conclusions of a dialogue on media freedom in the continent under the theme "press freedom for development and governance: need for reform".

Sanef welcomed the campaign aimed at persuading African governments to abolish criminal defamation and "insult" laws.

The drive would also oppose laws which restrict access to information and its publication in the public interest.

Sanef said attacks on journalists had resulted in deaths, injury, and long prison sentences almost entirely on trumped-up charges.

Pap, legislative body of the African Union, also decided to establish an annual award for media freedom in Africa and annual index on media freedom in the continent. - Sapa



IOLSA