A sad day for South Africa
- Started
- Last post
- 14 Responses
- Projectile
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/…
Basically, today South African politicians will pass a bill that can put reporters in jail for up to 25 years for exposing their bullshit corruption
Politicians, particularly those in the ANC, the ruling party, are so fucking corrupt they make all this wall street shit look like your dad sneaking an extra cookie from the jar. The current president was on trial for rape and embezzlement, but just decided to cancel the trial.
The only thing slowing them down was the fact that public might know about it- the police are obviously either powerless or involved depending on how high up they are. So today, they'll put a stop to that so they can do whatever the fuck they want. Even whistleblowers can be jailed, so you can't even tweet about it ffs! I might even see good friends go to jail and will be in danger of it myself if I move back.
FUCK the ANC! Desmond Tutu has even come out saying they are worse than the apartheid govt. And for a black man who lived through it to say that, it's gotta be bad :S
This is why I'm applying for a British passport next month. Breaks my heart.
- necromation0
WOW... That is some fucked up shit!!!
All that good work, pissed down the drain... This is not only sad but devastating. Now where's the Americans & English jumping to right this wrong... oh thats right they are busy elsewhere.
- Mulatu0
Let's not jump the gun. They're voting on the Bill today. It hasn't passed yet...
- as if that gonna happen...necromation
- trust me if the Guardian say "almost certainly" that means 99% likelihood.Projectile
- Amicus0
I wonder how these laws will sit with the constitution. In Australia Laws can be overthrown in the high court on constitutional grounds.
- same in SAMulatu
- there's also the Constitutional Court, which is one level higherMulatu
- Yeah there are plenty conflicting laws, but one that supports it: TIAProjectile
- TIA?Mulatu
- this is africawhereRI
- Mulatu0
Parliament voted in favour of the Bill 5 minutes ago.
See what happens in court I guess...
- Mulatu0
"The bill still has to be approved by the National Council of Provinces next year..."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfric…
"Before it is enacted into law, the POIB must pass through the National Council of Provinces and, if successful, is set to be challenged in the Constitutional Court by the media and civil society organisations."
"The contentious legislation proposes harsh penalties for journalists and citizens found to be in possession of classified documents as well as harbouring state secrets. There is no independent appeals mechanism available to citizens, who wish to access information that may have been classified as secret without justification. Though there is a provision for a mostly independent body to review decisions, citizens do not have access directly to it."
- clearThoughts0
Urgh... what the fuck is wrong with the world at the moment...
- Mulatu0
It's a "State Secrecy" Bill... all governments have these (and this current proposed one is an amendment to an old Apartheid era Law), but the clauses I quoted above has left it open to possible abuse by Government to censor indiscriminately.
Ultimately it will be up to the Constitutional Court to prevent this Bill from becoming Law if the necessary changes aren't made.
(I think that sums it up logically.)
- necromation0
"Let's not jump the gun. They're voting on the Bill today. It hasn't passed yet..."
Your words not mine, Mulatu... This is a really bad day for the world we live in :(
- Mulatu0
Parliament 'approved' the draft Bill by majority vote... it's not Law yet. I really don't see it ever getting past the Constitutional Court.
- really? How are they different? I wish I could share your optimismProjectile
- i know. i don't want to argue with you. we obviosuly don't agree...Mulatu
- that's why i'm still living here and you're applying for a uk passport.Mulatu
- whereRI0
arg I hate seeing home in turmoil. Heading back next month, hopefully there isnt too much shit going on. But glad I have brit passport.
Goodluck gettin it projectile.
- Projectile0
Seriously, the whole of South Africa.. well those who actually know what the fuck is going on in front of them, which is worryingly little, are hanging their heads in shame. (and worry)
- 74LEO0
lets see USA
- howard stern removed from air
-kidd chris removed from air
- opie and anthony removed
-keith olberman removed
-glen beck removed
etcRUSSIA:
so many reporters poisoned I won't even list.People act like this never happens.
- its all just different degrees of the same thing.74LEO
- removed? what are you talking about? stern, beck and olbermann are stil on the air...zarkonite
- http://www.glennbeck… - that's not what I would call censored and off the air exactly.zarkonite
- off of public airwaves wher its suppose to be free and open74LEO