IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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PRESS RELEASE - SOUTHERN AFRICA

2 May 2003

ARTICLE 19 releases campaign pack on defamation and insult laws in SADC
countries

SOURCE: ARTICLE 19, Johannesburg

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:

ARTICLE 19 RELEASES CAMPAIGN PACK ON DEFAMATION AND INSULT LAWS IN SADC

ARTICLE 19 releases today, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, a campaign
pack on defamation and insult laws in Southern African Development Community
(SADC) countries. This pack is the result of ongoing research that is examining
the way defamation or insult suits against journalists have been used in a
number of cases brought by public officials/figures.

The research has revealed that the use of defamation and insult laws is
increasing, especially in countries facing a political crisis or civil conflict.
An alarming finding is that in most cases charges are dismissed for lack of
merit, either by the courts or by the prosecutors. There is also a regular and
unwarranted use of criminal defamation associated with excessive and
unreasonable fines.

This pack highlights the threats to freedom of expression posed by defamation
and insults laws. It also aims to simplify the legal issues around these
concepts and enable media practitioners and advocates to devise strategies.

The pack can be found on ARTICLE 19's website at
http://www.article19.org/docimages/1601.pdf [2] and
http://www.article19.org/docimages/1602.pdf [3]

For further information, contact Fatou Jagne, Africa Programme Officer, ARTICLE
19, Braamfontein Centre, 23 Jorissen Street Braamfontein 2017, Johannesburg,
South Africa, tel: +27 11 403 1488, fax: +27 11 403 1517, e-mail:
[email protected] [4], [email protected] [5], Internet:
http://www.article19.org [6]

The information contained in this press release is the sole responsibility of
ARTICLE 19. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
ARTICLE 19.
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