From: Johan Retief [mailto:JohanR@ombudsman.org.za] Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 12:47 PM To: Lara Johnstone Cc: Pressombudsman; Khanyi Mndaweni Subject: complaint Dear Ms Johnstone I have had a close look at your complaint and have also discussed it with Joe Thloloe, the Press Ombudsman. You complain that the omission of your argument as one of the amici curiae is an intentional, malicious campaign of censorship. However, the media summary issued by the Constitutional Court only mentions you as a friend of the court – it does not refer to any argument made by you (it does refer to the arguments of other friends of the court). Note: You do not complain that the news reports did not mention you as a friend of the court; your complaint is that your argument was ignored. This, I believe, partly explains the omission of your argument by the newspapers. Furthermore: Even if you notified the editors of your argument and issued a press release, they are under no obligation to publish the material. Your complaint is therefore dismissed. You can, however, ask for leave to appeal against this decision. Write to Judge Ralph Zulman; he can be reached at khanyim@ombudsman.org.za Regards Johan
Johan Retief | Deputy Ombudsman | Direct Tel. 011 484 3612/8 Direct Fax. 011 484 3619 Mobile. 083 791 1792 Company Fax. 011 484 3619 Website. www.pressombudsman.org.za
Please visit the Press Council website www.presscouncil.org.za for the South African Press Code and our Complaints Procedures.