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toni erlinglatest news & developments

Freedom Barometer

Taking a glance at developments covered in this column over the last three years, Toni Erling and Reggie Manyakara ask where freedom of expression stands in South Africa today.…

Unlawful Bias

The predominance of a male-orientated editorial focus in South African media is not only biased, it violates the highest laws in the land. Toni Erling takes issue.

Fair Dealing

When can the media use copyrighted material without obtaining the permission of the "author" of the work? Toni Erling answers the question in light of the Nelson Mandela art…

Political Appointments?

Are the decisions of South Africa’s courts influenced by politics, culture or race? Toni Erling looks at the question in light of a defamation action brought against the Mail &…

Giving Skin

Restraints protect the employer at the expense of the employee – they restrict the employee’s freedom of trade in some way. Our courts will not overturn a restraint of trade…

Keep It Reasonable

Has coverage of the Ngcuka/Zuma affair verged on the libellous? Greg Hamburger and Toni Erling of RWR explain that the 1998 Bogoshi case gives the media unprecedented leeway on…

Gender Equality: Law and Reality

Although the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and various Acts of Parliament firmly entrench the right of South African women to workplace equality, reality is lagging behind the…

Off Limits: The Bench

With ‘trial by media’ one of government’s favourite diversionary slogans, what happens when the big corruption scandals eventually make it to a real trial? Criticism of the…

Kenyan Press: End of the Opposition?

Once the only site of resistance to Daniel Arap Moi’s tyrannical regime, Kenya’s newspapers are now being co-opted by President Mwai Kibaki’s Narc coalition. George Ogola laments…

Exclusive sports rights

Should all South Africans be entitled to watch or listen to all sporting events on television or radio? Is it acceptable for a subscription or regional television or radio…

The truth about defamation

How important is the truth in defamation cases? It can be crucial to the publisher, writes Toni Erling of law firm RWR.

Tapping conversations

Is it permissible, in exceptional circumstances, to intercept and/or monitor communications which can be transmitted via a telephone line, including telephone calls, emails and…