MFWA Press Statement...

Prof Karikari, MFWA Director (Photo: MFWA)

Prof Karikari appointed a member of South Africa Press Freedom Commission 

Prof. Kwame Karikari, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, has been appointed member of the 9-person South Africa Press Freedom Commission, an independent investigative commission set up to look at the regulation of print media in South Africa.

The commission, which was launched in Johannesburg on Thursday July 7, was initiated by Print Media South Africa, an industry association of the print media, and the professional association South African National Editors Forum.

The independent body, made up of professionals in various fields, includes Justice Pius Langa, former Chief Justice of South Africa who serves as chairman of the commission, and the head of the Cape Town Anglican Church, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. Professor Karikari is the only non-South African member.

The Commission’s task is “to cast an independent look at self-regulation of print media in South Africa” and present recommendations for improvement by the end of March 2012. It is to review best practice in press media regulation locally and globally, and develop and publish for the stakeholders and the South African public recommendations that would enhance effective self-regulation of the print media in South Africa.

The primary objective of the Press Freedom Commission, according to its terms of reference, is to ensure that press freedom in South Africa is in support of enhancing the country’s democracy “which is founded on human dignity, equality and freedom”.

 Issued by the MFWA, Accra, July 11, 2011

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.

For more information please contact:
Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-21-24 24 70
Fax: 233-21-22 10 84