Press freedom in South Africa and why self-regulation is best

Almost a year after the Press Council of South Africa held hearings around the country to hear what the public had to say about the system of self-regulation of the press, the newly established Press Freedom Commission is doing something similar in January 2012. Akin to what happened during the Press Council’s process of review, the Press Freedom Commission asked for written applications to be submitted by interested parties prior to the public hearings. The main difference between these two processes, however, is crucial. 

While the Press Council asked citizens to provide opinion on the system of press regulation in South Africa (self-regulation), the Press Freedom Commission asked for comments on all four of the main types of press regulation, which include independent regulation, co-regulation and most significantly, statutory regulation. People then had to consider whether they were satisfied with allowing the press to regulate itself, or whether other parties should be brought into the process, particularly whether government should have a hand in keeping an eye on the press. 

A system in which the print industry takes the responsibility of regulating the press upon itself has its advantages and disadvantages. The most fundamental advantage, which has been stated often, is that it allows for journalistic and editorial independence and freedom of speech. Ideally, you want a situation where journalists are free to operate without fear or interference from any of the main societal centres of power such as big business or the government.

READ ON DAILY MAVERICK