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Newsletter n° 23 |
02.07.2003 |
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| The Business of Newspapers
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| Insult laws: the Divine Right of Kings |
What are insult laws?
Insult laws prohibit criticism of public officials (like the President), government offices, national institutions, or the state itself. Essentially, any statement that insults the honour or dignity of these people or institutions is punishable. Insult laws can effectively elevate public officials above the reach of media scrutiny and shield important, controversial government actions and policies from public debate.
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| Civil defamation in Zambia: "The sky is the limit" |
Zambian journalists have long struggled to operate under existing criminal defamation laws. Despite an active media, Section 69 of the county’s penal code is still wielded against journalists for publishing any articles perceived to "defame the president".
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| NEWS FROM THE MEDIA SCENE
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| Sign Press Freedom Petition before Saturday! |
African media professionals are invited to sign an all-African petition for Press Freedom, addressed to current Chair of the African Union (AU), Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa. It will be presented at the AU meeting of Heads of State in Maputo from 5-12 July.
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| Practical Media Manuals on How to Survive and Grow |
Six different manuals about how to run and develop a media company are now available from the Media Development Loan Fund (MDLF). The series of manuals presents the practical expertise of media professionals who work in countries undergoing economic, political and social change.
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| PRESS FREEDOM
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| "MoAfrika" Continues Battle to Stay On-Air |
Dogged by the threat of closure from crippling fines, "MoAfrika Radio", a Lesotho-based community radio station, went off the air for twenty-four hours to raise awareness and financial support from its listeners on 16 June. Station-owner Ratabane Ramainoane owes 90,000 Maloti (US$ 11,600) in compensatory damages and 15,000 Maloti in punitive damages to member of parliament Moeketsi Sello from a civil defamation suit he lost in 1999. RAP 21 spoke to Mr. Ramainoane about his resolve to keep the station running, and how the community has helped support his cause.
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