Parliamentary censorship matter urgent – editors

South Africans have the right to witness parliamentary proceedings – including disruption resulting in chaos – as if they were seated in the public gallery, the SA National Editors Forum (Sanef) and media groups argue in court papers. According to a Beeld report, the applicants argue that the public is entitled to know what is going on in the National Assembly. Speaker Baleka Mbete is opposing the application, arguing that disruptions are not part of the 'usual business' of Parliament and that the public does not have a right to full access. The matter is scheduled to be heard in the Western Cape High Court on Friday. Sanef says there is a high probability of more disruptions when President Jacob Zuma appears on 11 March. The court should therefore intervene on an urgent basis to prevent Parliament censoring events. 'It is irrational and unreasonable' that the public has to rely on the possibility of a journalist or MP capturing events on their cell phones to be able to see what is going on in Parliament, the replying papers state. Sanef also rejects Mbete's argument that Parliament's dignity should be protected. '(Parliament) doesn't explain how the dignity of the institution could ever be promoted by trying to hide what is going on in Parliament,' it says.

Full Beeld report