Print Media SA (PMSA) notes with grave concern the arrest of Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika, who was taken into custody by the Hawks on Wednesday, 4 August 2010.

Wa Afrika was taken into custody by a large contingent of plain clothes police officers shortly after a meeting of the South African National Editor's Forum which, ironically, was convened to discuss threats to media freedom.  According to media reports, wa Afrika was then transported to Mpumalanga.

Whilst there has been no official confirmation from the Hawks, media reports as well as statements made by the office of Mpumalanga Premier, David Mabuza, indicate that wa Afrika was to be charged with fraud and defeating the ends of justice in relation to an allegedly forged letter of resignation addressed from Mabuza, to President Jacob Zuma. 

PMSA is deeply concerned about the manner in which the arrest was carried out, which appears to have been designed to intimidate the media, as well as subsequent events that have occurred. 

Of particular concern is the information black-out imposed by police in relation to the arrest.  The conduct of the police in refusing to provide the relevant information about wa Afrika's whereabouts and the charges against him is unacceptable.  Considering the high profile nature of the arrest as well as the suggestion that it may have been politically motivated, the public is entitled to be informed about all developments in relation to this matter. 

The arrest of wa Afrika is of particular concern as it has occurred in the midst of the most serious onslaught against media freedom since 1994.  The Protection of Information Bill and the ANC's proposal for a Media Appeals Tribunal point towards a growing intolerance of media freedom which is incongruent with the values of our Constitution. 

For enquiries please contact:

Ms Ingrid Louw
CEO: PMSA
Tel: 011 551 9600

Dear Members

As you are aware, it has been a turbulent few weeks for media freedom with Parliament considering a Bill that if passed in its current form, will result in widespread censorship of political speech.  The contentious Protection of Information Bill is currently being highly debated in South Africa and Print Media SA has engaged with government in this regard. 

Please find attached for your information, the Print Media SA submissions on the Protection of Information Bill which was submitted to Parliament in June 2010. 

The Mail and Guardian and the Eugene Saldahna Memorial Fund, a project of CAF Southern Africa, are please to announce the creation of an annual fellowship in social justice reporting.  The fellowship is intended to enable a journalist to spend a year focusing on stories that deal with poverty, inequality, and the realization of human and socio-economic rights.

This is a one-year contract post, based at the Johannesburg offices of the Mail & Guardian.  The successful candidate will report to to the news editor and will be required to provide news and feature content for the print and internet titles of M&G Media Ltd that go beyond statistics to illuminate the lived experience of poverty in South Africa, and that provides insights into the structural conditions of inequality that continue to divide the country.

Candidates should:

• Demonstrate genuine commitment to social justice
• Have at least 3 years experience in journalism
• Be prepared to work in challenging urban and rural environments
• Have an understanding of and respect for media law and ethics
• Be willing to work in both print and multimedia formats
• Be able to communicate in at least two official languages
• Have a driver's license

Applications should be addressed to the Human Resource Officer.  Email address: hrofficer@mg.co.za

Closing date:  20 August 2010

On the 23^rd of July 2010, a group of PMSA staff filled two cars to the brim; two boots were filled with toys, clothes, soccer balls and other material that PMSA had collected over the last couple of weeks.

The initial aim was to donate everything on Mandela Day however, it was agreed that an additional week would result in more material being collected.

Other commitments such as the Nat Nakasa Award ceremony, which was to be held the following day, meant that not all the staff could go and give the collected material.  Both cars managed to reach the intended destination (we are not saying anything bad about Mamosa Thulo's driving.)

The intended destination was the Ma-Afrika Tikkum Crèche.  PMSA felt it was not enough to just hand over the material but instead the aim was to form a relationship with the crèche and find other ways we can assist in the future.  Mr Mhlanga who is the manager of Ma-Afrika Tikkum thanked PMSA and indicated that he looked forward to future initiatives by both organisations.  Mr Mhlanga's joy could, however, not be compared to the kids who could not wait to get their hands on the goodies brought for them.

The Nat Nakasa award for the year 2010 was awarded to Terry Bell.  This was revealed at the award ceremony held at the Wanderers Club (Sandton).  The venue was filled with colleagues, editors and other media practitioners who had come to witness and congratulate this great icon of the industry.

Pretoria-born Bell was forced into exile in 1965.  This was after he had contravened some of the apartheid laws pertaining to journalism.  He was permitted to return to South Africa in 1991.  In the 26 years in exile, Belly had worked in various disciplines in countries such as the United Kingdom, Zambia, Chile, Equatorial Guinea, New Zealand and Tanzania.

The Nat Nakasa award is awarded to an individual who displays commitment, fearless report and seems to have an unquenchable thirst for the truth. 

"He is not driven by the need for glory or for bylines.  In this he shows a quality rare among journalists: an ability to put his own interest aside in the pursuit of the broader objective of informing citizens and building democracy."  This is how Alide Dasnois (Executive Editor of Cape Times) described Belly in her nomination letter to the committee.

We hope that his achievements motivate the young and upcoming journalists.  

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ONLINE entries open on23rd July at www.mpasa.netNo more fuss! This year’s PICA entries will be submitted online. Simply fill in the form, upload a pdf, submit your payment and you’re done! Of course we will still need hard copies of your magazines, but we hope that the streamlined entry process will be a simpler, faster and more effective way for you to enter.

NEW features:
	Internationally aligned categories
	Improved judging process
	Electronic voting by judges and feedback forms for entrants ...at the Zip Zap CircusSchool in Cape Town!RIAAD MOOSA will be the evening’s ringmaster with entertainment provided by one of South Africa’s top hip- hop stars HHP, internationally acclaimed AFRICAN DRUMSand performances from the ZIP ZAP CREW.The evening will then wrap up with an after-party at the venue hosted by DJ FRESH.