ACCESS TO INFORMATION - The Truth Commission on June 23 announced that it had gathered enough evidence to suggest that government should reopen the investigation into the plane crash which killed Mozambican president Samora Machel in 1986. Machel, who strongly opposed the then white minority regime, died with 33 other people when his plane crashed as it crossed South Africa. Machel's wife Graca, shared her information with the TRC at a closed inquiry in Johannesburg on the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. The TRC's investigative unit had questioned nine people on their knowledge about the crash, including Craig Williamson, a former military intelligence and security police operative. Other names were held to protect witnesses. According to reports, the TRC's investigative head Dumisa Ntsebeza said that last month he had received new evidence linking the SADF to the crash. It is also reported that President Mandela said he did not believe the findings of the apartheid era Margo Commission of Inquiry which concluded that the crash was caused by a pilot error, and he had vowed to uncover the facts. Foreign affairs deputy director-general for multilateral affairs Abdul Minty had conducted investigations into the matter and is expected to give evidence as an expert on the former SA's military and nuclear capabilities. Earlier this month, Minty led a government delegation that called for the hearings of chemical and biological weapons to be held in camera, because of possible proliferation of weapons of mass destruction , but the TRC foiled the move.

BROADCASTING - The SABC's deputy chief executive official Govin Reddy will take the new position as the chief executive broadcasting strategy after reaching agreements with the corporation's management. Reddy indicated on June 23 that he was comfortable with the management's explanation and would no longer question the board's decision after discussions with board chairman Paulus Zulu and group chief executive Zwelakhe Sisulu. Reddy apologised to the SABC saying that he regretted the harm caused to Mbatha and the corporation's image. He added that he had not intended to take legal action against the SABC as reported in the media.

CENSORSHIP - Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on June 23 indicated that a REDRO Fish Paste commercial would be withdrawn following several complaints that it showed actions that were dangerous to children. The advertisement showed an unsupervised child place a knife on a counter, then balance on two glass jars to reach a kitchen counter and spread Redro on bread. Even though the advert is aimed at mothers as purchasers, ASA argues that children were exposed to it and could easily copy the practice of standing on jars made of dangerous material. "The Citizen" on June 24 reported that the ASA executive director Deline Beukes said that ASA had revised the specific section in the Code of Advertising Practice dealing with the well-being of children who were avid consumers of commercials. However, producers of the commercial, TBWA Hunt Lascaris Cape, had denied any intention to encourage children to copy the actions in the commercials. The agency said that it was the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their homes were child-safe and not to leave children unattended.

INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING - On June 20, "The Saturday Star" reported that South Africa's more than 60 community radio stations will have to be reduced when the IBA follows the new criteria as set out by the White Paper on Broadcasting Policy. The new definition of community broadcasting might mean the discontinuation of some community broadcasting licences. According to the IBA, there has been some discontent with parts of the paper and the official response of the authority is unclear. Previously, the IBA Act included two types of community licences: the first was defined as a community licence where there is a community that shares the same interests ; the other was defined as a community broadcaster within a specific geographical area. The paper has now re-evaluated the definition to mean that "all community broadcasting licences should be geographically founded. Furthermore, the paper says the "structure and the mandate of the religious services will be redefined to operate within the terms and conditions of the geographically founded community category". The paper stresses that particular attention must be given to needy communities in rural areas for further expansion of community broadcasting sector. The national strategy for the community sector designed to account for the extension of broadcasting in rural areas, will set aside frequencies specifically for the maintenance and expansion of community broadcasting. It will see to it that community stations in needy areas pay less than the normal rates for signal distribution services, and the IBA will be required to report to the Government on the tariff structure. The strategy will also include training, human resource development and financing.

INTERNET ACCESS - South Africa's first apartment complex wired up to the Internet will be complete by August. According to reports, it will give residents leased-line Internet access using the same cabling system for Internet, TV and satellite access. The system is being installed by Internet Office Parks (IOP), a subsidiary of the Paradigm group as part of a Richprop Stocks & Stocks development. The Harbour Terrace complex which overlooks Cape Town's V & A Waterfront, has 59 apartments wired on local area network for free video conferencing and a video-based security system. According to IOP, home owners are given a powerful Internet connection traditionally available only to companies, at the same cost as a dial-up solution. Units will also have the option of renting their PC, TV, satellite decoder and Internet access for around R800 a month per studio. The whole concept is an extension of the services being provided by the Paradigm Interactive Media Group, making ownership of technology affordable and easily up gradable through rental finance. Tenants will have their own decoder for DSAT and their own E-mail and web address.

MEDIA DIVERSITY AND OWNERSHIP - On June 24 Naspers announced a scheme aimed mainly at "black and coloured" readers of its Afrikaans publications. The publishing group said it would hand over about 4,7 million of its shares, with a current book value of R200 million to a new empowerment trust. The shares would be offered in blocks of 10 at R42 each to the readers by Welkom Trust. The readers would pay 10% deposit for their shares and pay the balance and interest after five years, when they will also be able to sell their shares or buy more. According to Naspers, the scheme was aimed at "black and coloured readers who supported the company's Afrikaans publication for a long period but were unable to share in the success". Naspers pointed out that through the scheme they want to give something back to these communities and correct the omissions of the past. The scheme is said to be similar to the previous empowerment schemes introduced by the group, including selling shares in City Press, Nasou Via Afrika and Nasionale Private Colleges to empowerment partners.

PARLIAMENT - The government's long awaited employment strategy was released on June 25. The strategy is aimed at generating in short term an undisclosed number of jobs which could cost more than R1bn a year. Labour Minister Tito Mboweni released the Government proposals including measures to alleviate youth unemployment by providing incentives to companies to hire youth at a lower pay rate. Meanwhile, preparations for the Presidential Job Summit had received a boost with the Cabinet's approval of the Government's plans to create jobs. The summit would draw up plans to deal with the high levels of unemployment. Government submissions were expected to contain proposals of massive public works programmes funded by the state and private sector.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - "Media Law Briefing", a Southern African newsletter in existence since 1996 and whose aim is to inform lawyers and interested parties in the region, and beyond, on developments in media law and freedom of expression, held a two day conference in the North West this week. Twenty three delegates representing all countries in the region except Mauritius and Angola, addressed media law issues. The threat of the media censorship and the overarching power of parliament were identified as common problems. The conference also provided an opportunity for countries to network. A review of "Media Law Briefing" and strategies for strengthening the network were also considered.