South Africa: Controversial secrecy bill could ‘smother free speech’

Headline Title: South Africa urged to drop secrecy bill 21 November 2011 The South African parliament must quash a draconian secrecy bill, Amnesty International said today as the government votes on a proposed law which could see journalists and whistleblowers in prison for investigating state wrongdoing.If the bill is passed, journalists will no longer be able to argue that they are acting in the public interest by publishing sensitive information about the government. They could face up to 25 years in prison for publishing information which state officials want to keep secret.Black-clad…

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