Protection of Information Bill – Text

The row over the government’s reintroduction of the Protection of Information Bill is growing with more and more institutions adding their analysis to the debate, which focuses in part on the impact the law would have on the press if it is passed in its present form.
The concern of the media is that the bill would make it impossible for reporters to accept, possess, investigate or, if appropriate, publish classified documents leaked by whistle-blowers with a genuine will to prevent or undo a wrong.
It proposes very wide definitions of the national security issues that could be cited as a reason to keep information secret and, more controversially, of the “national interest” that might be given as a reason to get out the “Top Secret” stamp.
Over many years and around the world – not least in South Africa – these leaks have been the basis of the most important disclosures led by the media.