S outh Africa is seen as one of the more progressive countries on the continent, enjoying a well-developed and plural media system with a strong Constitution that protects freedom of expression and of the press. This high standing is in danger of decline as the governing party, the African National Congress (ANC) intensifies political pressure on the public-run media and clamps down on the commercial media. The threats to the media are diverse, with the most disturbing being the proposed bills, which, while addressing a number of valid objectives, also include clauses that encroach on fundamental rights such as access to information, freedom of expression, media freedom and protection of privacy. The proposed legislation, which the media sector and rights activists are railing against, include the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Bill and the hotly debated Protection of State Information Bill which has been dubbed the Secrecy Bill. The tightening of their grip on the media sector encompasses encroachment on the editorial independence of the public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), which intensified in 2015, with the gazetting of the Broadcasting Amendment Bill which seeks to give the Minister of Communications immense powers to hire and fire SABC Board members, including the Chairperson. This assault on the media was extended to the print media, with the ANC resuscitating calls for regulation, with several party leaders attacking the media for lack of transformation and for being antiANC. Although the print media remain a crucial check on the government, their urban and elite outlook poses a threat to democracy as many people are denied access to the media. The Cybercrime Bill will bring South African law into line with international standards and create specific offences for internet-related crime. While the bill includes many progressive clauses, experts have warned that the bill is too broad and encroaches on constitutional freedoms placing excessive limitations on the right to access information, right to privacy, and the right to freedom of expression and opinion. Another disturbing issue featuring prominently through 2015, was securitisation, with security agencies playing an increasingly visible role in policing different actors such as activists, unionists, journalists and political figures. As South Africa heads for crucial local elections in 2016, increasing restrictions on fundamental freedoms are expected. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Drone attack on Parliament fears: journalists’ cell phones blocked Shortly after the year opened, journalists were confronted with the bizarre situation of not being able to use their cellphones in the National Assembly Chambers during President Zuma’s State of the Nation address, because state security agents had installed cellphone-blocking equipment.