South African Plan Called Curb in Press Freedom

The International Press Institute today described proposals of the South African Press Commission as an infringement of press freedom and "a step toward the political control of the press."

The institute, a private body of newspaper editors in 51 non-Communist countries, urged the South African Government to reject the proposals calling for registration of journalists by a Government-controlled press council.

In a cablegram to Prime Minister Hendrik F Verwoerd, the institute said the proposed press council would "not be a safeguard of the freedom of the press but an infringement of that freedom. The compulsory registration of journalists would contitute a permanent threat to their livelihood and freedom of operation." It added: "Such a measure would seriously interfere with the flow of uncensored news and would undermine confidence in news sent out from South Africa."

Published in the New York Times: 15 May 1964