Secrecy bill amendments don't go far enough
Yesterday the ANC proposed key amendments to the Protection of State Information Bill during the meeting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Ad Hoc Committee on the bill.
In particular, the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the amendments which propose that journalists and whistle blowers be protected from prosecution if they reveal information which discloses criminal activity, and that minimum sentences be eliminated.
However, the ANC's amendments still do not go far enough.
The DA remains concerned about areas of the bill such as:
- The definition of "national security"; and
- The sections pertaining to almost all offences, such as the possession and disclosure of classified information.