Prosecutors in Uganda bring in an extra charge against Haruna Kanaabi, the editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper, "Shariat". Kanaabi was arrested on the 25th of August on charges of sedition after his newspaper commented that a visit by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to Rwanda amounted to a trip to what had become the 40th district of Uganda. Kanaabi, who has been in prison since then, now has to face the extra charge of publishing false news.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications commences its five-day hearing in Pretoria on the Independent Broadcasting Authority's (IBA) Triple Inquiry into the public broadcaster, cross ownership and local content of media. A number of submissions are scheduled to be heard over the next five days, including a submission from the FXI (see article in this issue).
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) criticises the IBA's recommendation that it drop one of its three television channels. The criticism is contained in the SABC's submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications. The SABC argues that it will not meet its public service obligations with only two television channels.
The executive committee of Wits University agrees to appoint an independent tribunal to investigate allegations levelled against deputy vice-chancellor, Prof. M W Makgoba. Several senior academics have accused him of misrepresenting his qualifications.
Twenty five press freedom organisations from around the world, including the FXI , join together to protest against the death sentence handed down to nine Nigerian human rights activist, including playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa, at the beginning of the month. The action is organised by the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN, the Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists and PEN Canada. The group appeals to the leaders attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in New Zealand to condemn the sentences and call for the Nigerian authorities to immediately release the activists.
The South African Cabinet approves the Films and Publications Bill, which will be put before Parliament for debate in the new year. The Bill effectively scraps the past system of censorship and introduces a new method of "classification". (See article in this issue)
The SABC's internal staff magazine, Intercom, reports that the corporation is to launch its first analog entertainment channel later this month. The channel will be free-to-air to viewers with a Pas4 analog dish and analog receiver box.
The authorities in Nigeria ratify the death sentences imposed on nine human rights activists. In the meantime, New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, says the leaders at the summit are considering a united call for clemency.
Nigerian military officials hang nine human rights activists, sparking world condemnation. Those hanged are playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Barinem Kobel, Saturday Dobee, Paul Levura, Nordu Eawo, Felix Nuate, Daniel Gbokoo, John Kpuinen and Baribor Beru.
World leaders react harshly to the Nigerian authorities for going ahead with the execution of nine prominent human rights activists in that country. In Auckland, New Zealand, the heads of government of the Commonwealth states agree to suspend Nigeria from the Commonwealth. They give Nigeria a two-year deadline to bring about reforms or face complete expulsion from the body. South Africa recalls its High Commissioner to Nigeria, while the United States and the European Union withdraw their ambassadors from the country. British Prime Minister John Major imposes a total ban on arms sales to Nigeria and urges other countries to follow suite. The European Union announces that it has suspended development aid to Nigeria. However, Britain and the United States are reluctant to apply oil sanctions, sparking anger from Nigerian human rights activists.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) withdraws its invitation to the Nigerian Football Association to send a team to a four nations cup tournament to be played in South Africa the following week. The decision is in protest against the execution of nine human rights activists at the weekend.
A number of Muslims protest outside the SABC's headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, demanding that the SABC not go ahead with the next day's screening of the controversial documentary, "Jihad in America", produced by American journalist Steve Emerson.
Wits University agrees to a request from the University of Natal that information it furnished on the embattled Wits Deputy vice-chancellor, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, not be used in an inquiry into charges that he falsified his qualifications. Natal University furnished the information in response to a written request to one of the senior lecturers who had clandestinely built up a damaging dossier on Prof Makgoba. In the letter the lecturer requested Natal University to assist him in a "rather esoteric enquiry for a piece of social history" that he claimed he was conducting.
The selection panel appointed by President Nelson Mandela in September this year to choose the people who will sit on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission begins interviewing the 46 people who have been placed on a shortlist of nominees. The first person to be interviewed is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who is widely tipped to head the panel.
The SABC decides not to go ahead with the screening of the documentary "Jihad in America". Instead, it screens a panel discussion that was initially scheduled to be screened after the documentary, and promises to screen the documentary the next week.
The Johannesburg newspaper, The Star , wins the right to have reporters present during the trial of two 16 and 17-year-old youths charged with the recent, highly publicised, murder of a city doctor. According to law, the trial of suspects under 18 should be held in camera, but the court decided to admit the media following an application to this effect by The Star . The newspaper's argument was that the public's interest in the matter required the hearing to be held in the open, since it had been a highly publicised crime that had sparked public outcry and protest.
The organisation, Human Rights Watch (HRW), issues an open letter to the Chief Executive Officers of Royal Dutch/Shell, Elf and Agip ahead of a meeting the next day of the Board of Directors of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas project in Bonny, Nigeria. The letter reminds the members of those companies, who all have interests in the gas project, about the recent execution of nine human rights activists in Nigeria and calls on them to pull out of the project and to use their influence to improve the situation in that country or become increasingly identified in world public opinion with a pariah regime. HRW further calls on those companies not to become the private bankers of the Nigerian military regime by raising the $300 million in equity and loans that was denied by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The IFC deny granting this money to Nigeria in protest against the execution of the nine activists.
Meanwhile, President Nelson Mandela, speaking during his state visit to New Zealand, says he will make direct appeals to Britain and the United States to apply oil sanctions against Nigeria.
The Multinational oil companies, Royal Dutch/Shell, Agip and Elf, sign an agreement with the Nigerian Military government to invest in the $3,5 billion Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Plant at Bonny, Nigeria. The decision comes despite calls from human rights organisations for the companies to pull out. The Nigerian government has a 49 percent share in the plant.
Miss Nigeria, Toyin Raji, withdraws from the Miss World Beauty pageant to be held at the Sun City holiday resort in South Africa. No reason is given for her withdrawal but it is believed to be as a result of pressure from local human rights groups calling for her withdrawal because of human rights abuses in Nigeria.
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) suspends a live call-in radio programme, saying callers are abusing the show. The show was broadcast daily in Oshiwambo, the vernacular of the largest tribal group in Namibia. According to the head of news at NBC, Hilisa Mbako, callers had issued death threats on air to various government officials. He said this was a flagrant abuse of freedom of speech or the right of freedom of information. The NBC reportedly warned that similar action would be taken if such "abuse" was found on other programmes. The National Society for Human Rights in Namibia condemns the action of the NBC, saying it constituted the most ruthless and unprecedented assault on and violation of the fundamental freedom of speech and expression of the Oshiwambo people.
A shortlist of 25 candidates to sit on the Truth Commission is announced by the selection panel appointed to choose the candidates. President Nelson Mandela, in consultation with the cabinet, will appoint between 11 and 17 of these candidates to the Commission.
A coalition of three Muslim organisations and a few individuals bring an urgent interdict in the Transvaal Supreme Court to stop the SABC from going ahead with tonight's scheduled screening of the controversial documentary, "Jihad in America". The group contends that the documentary portrays Islam as a bloodthirsty religion and is blasphemous. However, less than two hours before the documentary is scheduled to go on air, the Judge dismisses the claims by the Muslim group and rules in favour of the SABC screening the film as scheduled.
In Togo, plainclothes police arrest Fulbert Altisso, the editor-in-chief of "L'Enveil du Peuple" ("The Awakening of the People") at his home. His arrest follows an article titled "Military kills four" published in the 20 September to 15 October editions of his newspaper. In the article, the military is implicated in the death of four civilians. Altisso could face a prison term of three months to three years, and be fined up to US$3,500.
In Sao Tome and Principe, Oscar Medeiros, a journalist with the Sao Tome and Principe state television is arrested at his home. It is believed his arrest is linked to his refusal to read on air the full text of a Council of Ministers Statement.
The draft of South Africa's final Constitution is released for public perusal. The public will have until February 20 next year to make submission to the Constitutional Assembly on the final Constitution.
In Sao Tome and Principe, the Secretary of State for Information and Culture withdraws a complaint he filed against television journalist Oscar Medeiros apparently because of his refusal to read on air the full text of a Council of Ministers Statement. Medeiros, who was arrested the previous day, is subsequently released from prison.
In Congo, Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) reports that a proposed press law, which could place restrictions on the press, has been passed by the National Assembly and is being considered by the Senate. Out of the 122 articles in the Bill, 46 specify penalties for violations of the press law. Amongst others, the proposed law provides for prison terms of up to five years for journalists found guilty of committing offences against the head of state or the Prime Minister. The bill reportedly forces journalists working for state media to be "loyal" to the government.
The SABC refuses to screen an advertisement by the Rhema Church advertising a nationwide anti-crime campaign. In a statement issued by the SABC, the corporation said the scenes depicted in the advertisements were too violent. It said the end message of the adverts was that government should put an end to crime, while the corporation believed this was the responsibility of the wider society as well. The SABC added that it found the choice of characters used in the material unacceptable as it could create the impression that the transgressors were all members of one race group. The head of the Rhema Church, Pastor Ray MacCauley, immediately accused the SABC of censorship, adding that the SABC was acting as a censor as to what was fair comment about the government.
The South African Cabinet announces the names of the 17 people who will sit on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Commission will hear evidence over the next 18 months on human rights abuses committed by those fighting for and against apartheid from 1960 to December 6 1993. It will also decide on reparations for victims. It will be headed by Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his deputy chairman will be Dr Alex Boraine, the current Executive Director of the organisation, Justice in Transition. The other people who will sit on the Commission are: Mary Burton, Advocate Chris de Jager, Rev. B Finca, Sisi Kamphephe, Wynand Malan, Hlengiwe Mkhize, Dumisa Ntsebeza, Dr Wendy Orr, Dr Mapule Ramashala, Dr Faizel Randere, Dr Yasmin Sooka, Glenda Wildschut, Rev K M Mqojo and Advocate Denzil Potgieter.
The SABC announces that prime television air-time allocated to Afrikaans will be slashed from 33% to 3.86% on the three new channels to be launched in February next year. English will form the anchor language and enjoy 65% of prime air time. Xhosa and Zulu have been granted 4.1% each, while multilingual screening will occupy 14.5% of prime time.