SECTOR 1 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: ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ 3 (2013: 2.8; 2010: 2.9; 2008: 3.2; 2006: 2.6) 1.3 There are no laws or parts of laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret, libel acts, legal requirements that restrict the entry into the journalistic profession or laws that unreasonably interfere with the functions of media There are no laws in South Africa that restrict entry into the journalistic profession. Journalists do not need to register with any particular state-affiliated body or meet any legal requirements before they can work in the profession. While some panellists were concerned about the Protection of State Information Bill being a tool to hinder the media’s access to state-held information, it was noted that, ‘this Bill, which has been passed by Parliament but has been sitting in the president’s office since 2012, is 95% better in terms of allowing access to such information than the current PW Botha-era Protection of Information Act’. Other Acts which could be used to hamper the functions of the media include the National Key Points Act (which is in the process of being repealed), the Riotous Assemblies Act, as well as the Defence Act – some of which are apartheid-era laws which have excessive restrictions pertaining to the access and publication of state-held information. 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: 13 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2018 ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ 3.6 (2013: 2.8; 2010: 4.0; 2008: n/a; 2006: n/a) ✓