Press freedom comment deadline extended
2011-12-02 17:36
Cape Town - The Press Freedom Commission (PFC) has extended the deadline for public comment on press freedom and regulation of the print media to December 15.
At the close of the original deadline on November 30, some 110 submissions had been received, the commission said on Friday.
"However, due to numerous requests from members of the public, the commission extended this deadline for written submissions to 15 December 2011," it said.
The call invites members of the public and readers of newspapers, online publications, and magazines to help shape the regulatory framework of the print media by submitting written views about media regulation.
Regulation
Specifically, the inputs should address the various types of regulatory systems they would prefer and why. These include independent regulation, co-regulation, self-regulation, and statutory regulation.
Definitions of the four models can be found on the PFC website homepage www.pressfreedomcomm.org, by clicking on the regulatory research tab.
Comments are also being invited on the print media's existing regulatory system in the form of the Press Council of SA and the Ombudsman's Office, as well as its constitution, press code and complaints procedures.
The commission will hold a series of public hearings around the country in January.
Submissions should be sent to sapresscomm01@gmail.com or PO Box 47180, Parklands, 2121, Johannesburg, or fax to 086 6405255 or 011 4826496.
The PFC was launched on July 7, 2011, and is an independent body of nine commissioners from diverse sectors of society created to investigate the best possible print regulatory system suitable for South Africa and which is in conformity with the Constitution.
- SAPA
