The South African National Editors Forum together with Primedia, Right2know, Media24 and Open Democracy Advice Centre this morning approached the Cape High Court to seek an order that Parliament undertakes that no jamming of mobile signal shall ever happen. Sanef also sought an order that Parliament should agree to provide wide angle shots of video coverage of proceedings especially when there was trouble in the House. Failing that, Sanef sought permission for broadcasters to bring their own equipment and cover the proceedings themselves. An attempt to reach agreement out of court failed and the matter was then heard by Judge Elize Steyn. She recorded Parliament's undertaking that the signal jamming should never have happened and it will ensure that it never happens again. This is a victory on signal jamming.
Regarding the relief sought on the filming of disruptions, the judge gave Parliament until Monday next week to file affidavits. Parliament had wanted a month to prepare affidavits. The matter will be argued on Thursday February 25.
On the application for the use of own cameras and setting aside the present Parliamentary policy that disallows this, the Judge ruled that this would be heard on an expedited basis subject to the judge president authorising the dates.
