South Africa: Journalist Pressured to Testify in Court; FXI Decries Creeping Assault On Right to Protect Sources

press release

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) applauds The Daily Voice's News Editor, Gasant Abarder, for his ethical stand in not testifying in the civil defamation case involving "Country Fair" poultry chain. Abarder refused to testify about a public meeting he reported on, where Grant Twigg of the Associated Trade Union of South Africa is alleged to have made defamatory statements about the circumstances in which one of "Country Fair"'s employees died after having an asthma attack. On Friday, 3 November, the Court confirmed a magistrate's order compelling Abarder to testify.

The FXI is disturbed to note that both Courts do not recognise that Abarder has a "just excuse" not to testify. The "just excuse" is that journalists such as Abarder can refuse to testify lawfully so as not create the impression that they are extensions of the evidence-gathering process in court proceedings: this is precisely what Abardar will become if he is compelled to testify.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.