The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has been assured that members of the media would be protected by amendments made to the weather Bill this week.
Sanef had voiced its concern that a proposed clause in the Weather Services Amendment Bill, which required anyone issuing a severe weather or air pollution-related warning to obtain the written permission of the South African Weather Service, was unacceptable and would censor the media.
Water and environmental affairs portfolio committee chairperson Johnny de Lange said this clause would be scrapped from the draft.
Amongst other concerns, Sanef said the Bill would inhibit the media from publishing stories about the weather and air pollution taken from reputable international, academic and scientific sources. It would also not allow reporters to cover public protests about pollution by factories, mines, and other industrial enterprises.
The forum further stated the draft legislation had not been talked-through with stakeholders such as the media, and needed more discussion. De Lange said he would push for the Bill to be examined further with stakeholders present.
De Lange also gave assurances to private weather forecasters who provide commercial or free weather services that they would not require weather service permission or that their services would be interfered with.