SECTOR 4 Developments since 2008 and the way forward Positive developments in the media environment in the last two years: • • • • • • • • Issues of freedom of expression are high on the public agenda and constantly monitored by the media and civil society groups. Stronger links have been forged between trade unions, civil society, media lobby groups and industry bodies in pursuit of protection of freedom of expression through, among others, the emergence of the SOS – Support Public Broadcasting Campaign. Media have increased their investigative capacity and exposed corruption cases in government and other sectors of society which would otherwise not have become public knowledge. The media fraternity is becoming more critical of itself and consciously trying to improve its performance. The self-regulatory Press Council and Ombudsman are responding more efficiently to complaints from the public. The number of women in newsrooms and senior positions of media houses is increasing. The content of new media is improving and free online newspapers add to the number of sources of information. The lobby group Professional Journalists Association (ProJourn) has been launched and gives journalists a voice. Negative developments in the media environment in the last two years: • • • • The tone of the political discourse is getting sharper, at times dangerously close to shutting down the space for rational and democratic debate. Exposure of government corruption has put journalists under pressure and working for the media is once again becoming a potentially dangerous job. Draft legislation such as the Protection of Information Bill, Public Service Broadcasting Bill and amendments to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, as well as the proposal to establish a statutory Media Tribunal, threaten the independence of media and thus freedom of expression as guaranteed in the constitution. The extended governance crisis at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is ongoing despite the efforts of both an interim and a new board. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010 69