Media houses may appeal SONA jamming

Media houses may appeal SONA jamming

Media houses and other organisations challenging the signal jamming during the State of the Nation address in February and Parliament's policy on broadcasting have been granted leave to appeal the matter at the Supreme Court of Appeal.

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According to a statement by Parliament on May 28, the Western Cape High Court dismissed the application challenging a clause in Parliament's broadcasting policy that deals with coverage of unparliamentary behaviour and for the use of a signal jammer during the address to be declared unlawful.

It also found that Parliament could not be blamed for the use of the jamming device.

The application followed the eviction of Economic Freedom Fighters MPs from the National Assembly during the State of the Nation address, which was not broadcast.

Some journalists took cellphone footage of the incident, in contravention of Parliament's policy, and had protested at the start when they were unable to file stories or use social media on their devices.

(File photo: Gallo Images)

 

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