South Africans the world over have been asked to support a campaign to fight an attempt by the ANC led government to curtail media freedom.

Fresh on the heals of the South African National Editors' Forum who rejected government plans to impose a new Protection of Information law and the Media Appeals Tribunal, the international democratic mission Avaaz.org has asked citizens worldwide to sign an international petition damning the proposals for a new media law and a special tribunal for journalists.

The new laws will allow the government to classify a broad range of material that is currently not secret. The South African Press Association reported that under the new law, it would be illegal to leak or to publish information deemed classified by the government, and the offence would be punishable by imprisonment. Critics of the legislation say it does not allow for the public interest to be taken into account in exposing corruption or incompetence by top officials. The tribunal would also be given powers to rule on media content and impose penalties on journalists. The proposals have been vocally supported by the president of the ANC Youth League Julius Malema and government ministers, but condemned by opposition leaders.

Avaaz.org says South Africa's democracy is at risk if the 'draconian and unconstitutional new secrecy Bill' is passed. It will lead to the 'muzzling (of) the media and let the security agencies operate without accountability'.

It says the secrecy measures in the 'Protection of Information Bill' and the proposed 'Media Appeals Tribunal' threaten press freedom enshrined in the Constitution and will hamper public scrutiny of the government and security agencies, blocking the media from exposing corruption and abuse of power.

Hundreds of prominent South Africans, business executives, civic leaders and journalists have condemned the measures and submitted amendments on the Bill to Parliament, but so far the ANC is defending both proposals. Only massive pressure from citizens across South Africa can wake them up and preserve hard-won freedoms!”.

If you would like to call for the ANC to listen to the people, respect the Constitution and promote accountable and transparent government, go to THIS LINK to sign the petition.