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/ 5 February 2004

‘It is just a bad law’

As the opportunity to comment on the Convergence Bill — aimed at updating old legislation and promoting competition and growth in the South African communications sector — drew to a close this week, claims have been made that the law, if promulgated, will enable the government to regulate the content of websites.
<li><a class=’standardtextsmall’ href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=30662">Less on the menu on US sites</a>

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/ 5 February 2004

Less on the election menu on US websites

As Americans turn to the internet more often for election news, some websites that offer such news are providing less useful information than they did four years ago, a new study has found. The sites contained less original reporting and fewer links to external sites, and fewer opportunities for web surfers to interact with the sites.

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/ 5 February 2004

The end is nigh

"I don’t know how many folks spotted the recent article in <i>The Independent</i> saying, among other things, "A study, which is being taken seriously by top government scientists, has uncovered a change "of remarkable amplitude" in the circulation of the waters of the North Atlantic." The disturbing this is that it’s not the only article of its kind, according to Ian Fraser. Be afraid.

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/ 5 February 2004

Youth apathy: Perception is not reality

The electoral campaign is replete with an assertion that has dogged South Africa’s transition to democracy: the view that the youth are apathetic and, most seriously, contemptuous of politics. This view is variously held in the media, public discourse, academia and wider society. If accurate, it clearly presents a potent danger.

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/ 5 February 2004

Editorial: The rot must stop

Our lead article throws new light on the extent to which crony capitalism and influence peddling is reaching high into the African National Congress — a trend that threatens the integrity of the economic system and the democratic order that is not even 10 years old.

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/ 5 February 2004

Mango’s man in Japan

Could there be truth to the rumour that arts and culture chief Ben Ngubane (also an Inkatha Freedom Party senior) is about to commit political hara-kiri and leave the cantankerous chief from Ulundi? Is that why he is being parcelled off to Japan faster than you can say kimono?

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/ 5 February 2004

Kallis blows Windies away in series win

Jacques Kallis’ phenomenal run scoring spree against the West Indies continued apace at the Wanderers on Wednesday as South Africa stormed to a four wicket win. Kallis has proved to be the Windies’ nemesis throughout the summer so it was fitting that he would lead the most exhilarating run chase of the series.