Women In News

The Apartheid Regime from 1948 when the national party won the undemocratic one white person-one vote election tried hard to put an end to democratic values. Although there were some laws guaranteeing some freedoms prior to the advent of that government, the Apartheid Regime introduced legislation to limit these rights. Legislation was introduced to enable the executive to stop the publication of newspapers, magazines and books. Only government controlled radio stations were allowed to operate. Television was prohibited for a number of years after their ascension to power. Some newspapers were closed down. Individual journalists were banned or prohibited from working for news media. Politicians, activists and protesters were prohibited from speaking or even attending gatherings. Foreign journalists were denied visas for no apparent reason other than they may expose the regime’s dictatorial practices. Substantial periods of imprisonment were to be imposed for breaches of one or other of the laws.

For a certain period, one of the exceptions to the prohibitions was what was said in court in evidence or legal argument. Even this limited right was constricted by prohibiting speeches made in court from the dock after Mr. Mandela’s universally acclaimed “I am prepared to die” speech. Journalists however found ingenious ways of getting around the various prohibitions.