africa: WAN Appeals to African Union for Press Freedom

The World Association of Newspapers is supporting a petition to the African Union calling for the abolishment of media laws and practices which restrict press freedom and create a hostile environment for journalists. The petition will be presented to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, the Chair of the African Union, at a meeting of Heads of State in Maputo, from 5 to 12 July. "The right for journalists to practice without fear of legal persecution and personal injury is fundamental to any functioning democracy," said Timothy Balding, Director General of WAN.