Media barred from terror talks
17/03/2004 10:03  - (SA)  

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Pretoria - A conference on terrorism in Africa - which has barred access to the media and public - was severely criticised by the Media Review Network on Tuesday.

The Embassy of the United States of America and the Centre for International Political Studies at the University of Pretoria will co-host the conference, titled "Terrorism and Counter-terrorism in Africa", in Pretoria on March 23.

"It is extremely disturbing that this highly controversial and sensitive theme is being discussed behind closed doors," Zakiya Fareed of the Media Review Network said in a statement.

"The public and the media have been specifically barred from registering to attend this conference which is being held at the University of Pretoria."

The Media Review Network said it would like to know why the University of Pretoria "is party to such clandestine actions, which is an affront to media freedom and the access to information."

The Media Review Network had sent a letter to the university, questioning the motivations for the conference. Blanket ban on media

An excerpt from the letter, addressed to Professor Calie Pistorius, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, read: "It is inconceivable that a major institution such as the University of Pretoria would find it expedient to allow discussions of a highly politicised subject to a blanket ban of all and any media coverage.

"In addition to being a highly emotive issue, it is well known that notwithstanding the fact that 'terrorism' lacks definition; the United States of America has been its leading exponent and chief prosecutor of the 'War on Terror'."

The letter added: "That your University's Centre for International Political Studies would be party to such an event which bars the participation of the public and the media is itself unbecoming of an institution that should be committed to the freedom of opinion, freedom of information, free academic discourse and transparency."

The United States embassy and University of Pretoria could not be immediately reached for comment.

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