SECTOR 1 that the cartoon was “probably offensive and distasteful” but “does not constitute hate speech” under the Equality Act. In its section 192, the Constitution requires that an independent body to regulate broadcasting be set up: National legislation must establish an independent authority to regulate broadcasting in the national interest, and to ensure fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing South African society. Such legislation has been put in place with the Independent Communications Authority Act 2000. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 4.3 (2008 = 4.3; 2006 = 5.0) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. The tone of the political discourse in South Africa is becoming more robust. Protests against a perceived lack of “service delivery” by government are intensifying all over the country, with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its affiliates sharply and vocally critical of corruption and greed in government circles, chastising politicians of the ruling party for their alleged lavish lifestyles at the expense of the poor. The media also regularly publishes exposés of patronage and the awarding of tenders based on political connections, with the term “tenderpreneurs” being coined to describe this practice. Government at all levels and sections of the African National Congress (ANC) react defensively. Critics are labelled “unpatriotic”, “enemies” or “counterrevolutionaries” and often asked whether they are “with the struggle or against 12 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010