Home Affairs Portfolio Committee
SUBMISSION ON THE FILMS AND PUBLICATIONS AMENDMENT BILL [B61-2003]
The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), a public interest lobby group which promotes freedom of expression in all its forms and whose main founding body was established to campaign against attempts to erode freedom of expression has read and considered the amendments proposed to the Films and Publications Act (65 of 1996).
We are of the opinion that some of the proposals in the Films and publications Amendment Bill ~B61-2OO3] unreasonably infringe the right to freedom of expression and are therefore constitutionally impermissible. In the event, It would have been incumbent upon us to make written and/or oral representations to the committee but due to circumstances beyond our control are unfortunately not able to undertake such intervention.
We have however read the written submission of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and are in complete agreement with its content, analysis, and proposals. After discussions with the NAB, the FXI has agreed to fully endorse and support their submission and this letter therefore serves to confirm our mutual arrangement. The FXI also supports the oral representations that will be made by the association in this regard.
In case you need clarity regarding any matter in this letter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the undersigned.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Kimani Ndung'u,
Head:Anti-censorship Programme