New law may force reporters to reveal sources

The government was finalising proposals regarding a section of the Criminal Procedure Act which could force journalists to reveal confidential sources, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), Radebe emphasised that the government would not treat the media in the manner it had been treated during the apartheid years.

“As a minister of justice I want to assure you that any [new] law must be in conformity with the Constitution,” the minister said.

Radebe was speaking against the backdrop of increased concerns at the ANC’s proposed introduction of a state appointed media appeal tribunal to adjudicate complaints against the press.

Radebe said the ANC had been deliberating on various issues in preparation for its national general council meeting in Durban later this year.

“One of these is that of information communication technology and the media.”

Referring to an ongoing discussion of Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act and other sections affecting journalists, Radebe said: “We are in the process of finalising proposals in this regard.”

The SA Law Commission would also soon present its finding of research on this and other laws that the media found problematic. - Sapa