Twenty-nine South African editorial cartoonist have signed a declaration protesting all political and religiously motivated threats against the media. The government intends to create a Protection of Information Bill and Media Tribunal which many feel will restrict free speech in that country.
Cartoonists who have signed the petition include: Andy (Sunday Times), Brandan (Business Day, Rapport, Weekend Argus), Chip (Cape Argus), Dave Gomersall (Treknet), Deni Brown (Mama Taxi), Dov Fedler (Independent Newspapers), Dr Jack (Mail & Guardian, Noseweek, Pretoria News), F Esterhuyse (Beeld), Findlay (Sondag Son, Sunday Sun), Fred Mouton (Die Burger), Gavin Thomson (People?s Post, Mama Taxi, Treknet), Grogan (Cape Times), Jerm (The Times, Biggish Five), John Curtis (Africartoons.com), Mark Wiggett (The Herald, Weekend Post), Mgobhozi (The Star), Miles (Daily Dispatch), Mothowagae (City Press), Mynderd Vosloo (Beeld), Nanda Soobben (Post), ND Mazin (CCIBA), Qap?s Mngadi (Echo Witness, Isolezwe), Rico (Madam & Eve), Stephen Francis (Madam & Eve), Siwela (Africartoons), Stent (Noseweek), Stidy (The Witness), Yalo (Sowetan) and Zapiro (Mail & Guardian, Sunday Times, The Times).
Thank you for giving this story the exposure it deserves. South Africa is being challenged with the greatest threat against the press since the dark days of Apartheid.
Any support in our fight to retain the freedom to express ourselves is most welcome.
Best regards,
John Curtis
Africartoons.com