Independent Media may appeal CIA report interdict

INDEPENDENT Media, IOL and journalist Thabo Makwakwa were yesterday granted leave to appeal an interdict by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria which prevented the publishing of an intelligence report on alleged activities of the CIA in destabilising the ANC.

Titled “US Interest In ANC Party Dynamic”, the report in question was compiled by the State Security Agency (SSA). The report was handed to Makwakwa by concerned sources from within the SSA in December 2021.

The SSA had previously obtained an interdict preventing Independent Media from publishing the report.

Independent Media Editor in Chief Aziz Hartley said the publisher, Makwakwa and Independent Online (IOL), all cited as respondents of the original interdict, were of the professional opinion that it was the media's right and responsibility to report on matters that were in the public interest.

“The contents contained in this report are of the utmost importance and interest to the public. Preventing such matters from coming to light is an infringement on media freedom,” said Hartley.

Yesterday, Judge Daisy Molefe, in granting Independent Media leave to appeal, said she did not accept the SSA's argument that the appeal may be rendered moot should the copy of the report be returned.

“I am of the view that the applicant (Independent Media, Makwakwa and IOL) has made out a proper case that it will suffer irreparable prejudice unless the whole order is put into operation,” Judge Molefe said.

Hartley said yesterday's judgment was a victory for press freedom.