Half of South African journalists face legal threats amid lawfare

The Thomson Reuters Foundation has released reports highlighting challenges faced by media in East and Southern Africa, particularly in South Africa where journalists are increasingly subjected to 'lawfare' tactics that undermine media freedom. The latest report reveals that legal threats against media personnel are common, despite constitutional protections, and highlights a trend of diminishing media freedom even within a democracy.

Key findings indicate that half of the respondents in South Africa experienced legal threats, and many lack confidence in the legal system's ability to safeguard those covering sensitive topics. The foundation offers free legal services and resources for journalists, including referrals to the Legal Network for Journalists at Risk (LNJAR) for specialized legal support.