26 August 2025 | 10:10 CAT
2-minute read

SA’s Media: A Beacon of Press Freedom Amid Global Repression

In an interview on Radio Islam International’s Africa Report, Martin Plaut, Senior Research Fellow at the University of London’s Institute of Commonwealth Studies and former BBC Africa Editor, illuminated the critical role of press freedom in safeguarding democracy—particularly in South Africa.

“[It is] one of the most positive things that exists in South Africa. It is your great bastion against… corruption and government action against ordinary civilians,” Plaut asserted, spotlighting the strength of South Africa’s journalistic environment.

Plaut drew a stark contrast between South Africa’s relatively free press and the suffocating environments in some other African nations. He cited a recent News24 investigation into a 1,2 billion-rand procurement scandal, now subject to official scrutiny, as emblematic of media’s watchdog function. Journalists publish such exposés without fear of lethal retribution.

He contrasted this with repression in places like Rwanda or Eritrea: in Rwanda, “attack the president, you’re dead,” and in Eritrea, dissenters may be concealed in shipping containers in searing heat until they die.

“For example, Stephen Grootes can say ‘the liar Melusi Gigaba was able to reinvent himself’ against a senior ANC MP—without being, shall we say, killed,” Plaut remarked, underlining the leeway allowed for political criticism.

These observations reflect broader metrics: South Africa currently ranks 27th out of 180 countries on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, improving from 38th in 2024, signalling a resilient media environment susceptible to threats but largely independent.

Still, challenges persist. Recent reports cite at least 59 physical or verbal attack incidents on journalists in the last five years, along with surveillance, misogynistic online harassment—especially of women reporters—and legislative attempts to curtail media freedom.

When asked about the power of kindness in war-torn settings, Plaut recounted his extensive field experience.

“Just go to ordinary people, in villages, in the countryside… they will give you the last chicken they have to keep you alive.” He emphasised how local knowledge—like subtle symbols warning of minefields—can save lives.

He also drew attention to an unexpected fact. “Do you know that the most mined country in the world is Egypt? All the mines left there from the Second World War…” highlighting long-term threats even from historical conflicts.

Shifting tone to culture, Plaut shared an uplifting trend: Nigeria and Ghanaian designers are now supplying prom dresses in the US—beautiful, sequined Yoruba designs priced at $600–$1 000, substantially cheaper than comparable American options. One Nigerian designer reportedly handled 2 800 orders for a single season—a testament to Africa’s creative export potential.

“I’m very pleased to do [this],” he said of his participation—and humorously added, “if I go over a certain point, I hope you take me off air. But that’s your choice. It’s not the government’s choice.” In this, he encapsulated the essence of media liberty in a functioning democracy.

Watch the Africa Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.