duct. The media, opposition politicians, lawyers and civil society organizations have protested vigorously against many of the provisions highlighting the impracticalities and objectionable issues. However, the ANC has persisted with it. The Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and now awaits approval in the National Council of Provinces. If the proposed amendments are approved about 500 publications and broadcasters will be required to submit material falling within these categories to a Films and Publications Board Committee for classification as to the audiences to which the material may be exposed. Apart from the interference with the media’s freedom of expression, there are insurmountable practical obstacles. How long would a story be held up before the committee could be convened to adjudicate on it? So far the media’s arguments, presented to two parliamentary committees and cabinet ministers, appear to have had little effect. The industry may have to take the issue to the Constitutional Court. Another objectionable feature in the Bill is the requirement to report information, or suspicions, about the conduct of people to the police. Another censorship attempt is the National Key Points Bill, designed to protect the security of important or strategic buildings and enterprises and services such as airports, broadcasting stations, police headquarters and certain strategic industries. The media has presented cogent arguments that this law will result in censorship but looks like it will meet approval in 2008. Meanwhile, journalists’ complaints on lack of co-operation by the authorities in supplying information to media are increasing. Government, provincial and municipal administrations’ officials are accused of withholding information. Some provide misleading information. The centralization of Government news outlets, particularly in the Police service, was a major hindrance to information flow. When SANEF lodged a complaint with the national Police Commissioner, a new structure was set up but with variable results. The Defence Department is regarded as the worst. Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota decreed that only his office could release information on defence matters, resulting in long delays in getting information, if it ever comes at all. These complaints resulted in SANEF issuing a strong statement on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, expressing its deep concerns at the erosion of media freedoms and of the values in the South African Constitution. Reporteurs sans Frontiers pointed out that in ranking Press freedom in 167 countries, SA has dropped from 16th in 2002 to 44 in 2006 (43 in 2007). Harassment of journalists also continued. Politicians harass journalists in the middle of the night with complaints about stories. Some journalists are called before tribal courts to defend themselves against charges of bringing the tribe to disrepute. According to SANEF, one journalist was kidnapped in protest against a story he wrote. The media was excluded from court hearings of charges against police and reporters’ notebooks were snatched; photographers were forced to remove images of the President - in hospital for a check-up - from their cameras and reporters were barred by police from attending public demonstrations. Photographers were prevented from taking images of a school matron accused of abusing children. SANEF also protested against the incident of two reporters being arrested on the grounds that they interfered with the police while covering police-related incidents. In a country overwhelmed by crime, Editor David Canning of The Mercury in KwaZulu-Natal was shot in the thigh in what appears to have been a car-hijacking attempt. In what is assumed to be an attempted assassination - though no possible motive has been advanced - Estee Booyens, editor of the Afrikaans-language tabloid Noord Son (Northern Sun) was shot at during the early hours of August 29. An attempt was also made on the life of So This Is Democracy? 2007 -77- Media Institute of Southern Africa