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Gag order in South Africa

South Africa is hardly known for its enlightened human rights policies, but it does like to pride itself on having a free press. In fact, journalists in that country live in the shadow of an iron-fisted state security apparatus that is armed with more than 100 separate laws governing what can and cannot be published. Last week that shadow lengthened when the state closed down the country's two leading black newspapers, the Post (Transvaal), which has a circulation of 113,932, and the Sunday Post (circ. 124,000). Published by the white-owned Argus Co., the two newspapers are widely read in Soweto and other black townships near Johannesburg. The papers were said by Minister of Justice J.J. Coetzee to be "creating a revolutionary climate in South Africa."

The move follows the recent bannings (virtual three-year house arrests) of three prominent black journalists, and the creation of a parliamentary commission to investigate the press. The latest crackdown provoked an immediate outcry. "An invitation to confrontation and disaster," said South Africa Society of Journalists President John Allen. Added Opposition Leader Dr. Fredrik Van Zyl Slabbert: "The reality of black feelings, demands, aspirations and reaction will not disappear because people cannot read about them. They will simply be communicated underground." Even the staunchly pro-National Party Die Transvaler objected.

Said the paper: "It must be asked how democracy could be served if mouthpieces of the left-wing sections of the community are gagged."

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