Notes on Classification
The list and definitions of classifications in So This Is Democracy?, which make up the bulk of
the content of this book, are assigned to specific categories. Actual alerts issued by MISA are
indicated by the ALERT in the top right hand corner of the entry. In all, there are 11 categories:
Assaulted

Bombed

Censored

Legislated

Detained

Banned

Killed

Sentenced

Threatened

Victory

Others

Below is a description of each category. Each category captures a fairly broad range of incidents, and more than just the single word it is represented by. Nevertheless, each category is an
accurate summation of incidents that are not too dissimilar with respect to their nature and the
manner in which they affect the individual media workers and/or the media in general. Except
for victory, the categories make up a list of the various types of violations that media workers
can experience during the course of, or as a result of, their work:
KILLED - This tops the list in terms of severity, and there is no need to explain
why. Included under this category, however, are incidents where journalists have been
kidnapped or gone missing, and have disappeared. For the purpose of this publication, that means that any incidents involving the latter will add to the statistics of this
category. The statistic given is for the number of media workers involved, as opposed
to the number of incidents reported.
ASSAULTED - This includes incidents where journalists are attacked physically,
beaten, tortured or wounded by other means during the course of their work. The
statistic given is for the number of media workers involved.
BOMBED - This includes incidents where a home of a journalist or the office of a
media house/outlet/organisation is sabotaged through bombing, arson, vandalism,
theft, or is raided or occupied forcibly. The statistic given is for the number of media
workers or media organisations involved.
DETAINED - This involves a media worker being put behind bars. It can be legal or
illegal and includes being sentenced to a jail term or being detained (without charge,
incommunicado, preventative, arrest). The statistic given is for the number of media
workers involved.
CENSORED - This is where information is suppressed or prevented from being
published, or where media workers are prevented from getting their information out.
It involves straight forward censorship such as a banning, a gagging order, order for
excisions, preventing the publication of information through legislative restrictions,
e.g. public officials or the courts, and interdicts, court orders or civil litigation resulting in the suppression of information. It also involves a publication or broadcaster or
programme being shut down or suspended, as well as incidents where equipment and/
or materials are confiscated. The statistic given is for the number of media workers
or media organisations involved.
So This Is Democracy? 2008

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Media Institute of Southern Africa

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