REPORTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28963, 3 August 1959, Page 13

REPORTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Threatened Ban On Foreigners

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) PRETORIA, July 31.

The South African Minister of External Affairs (Mr Eric Louw) today threatened to take action against foreign correspondents in South .Africa if they continued what he called their “completely distorted, and in many cases, false, reports.” Mr Louw said: “In view of the frequency and intensity of this false reporting, it may be found necessary, in the public interest, and in protection of our country, to take action against correspondents of foreign newsnaners who are not Union nationals.” Mr Louw said that he knew that his statement would lead to allegations of interference with the freedom of the press, but he pointed out: “This freedom is too often interpreted as freedom to abuse the freedom of the press.” Mr Louw also accused foreign correspondents of being responsible for the mounting trade boycott against South African goods in other countries. “It is grossly distorted news reports such as those from Cato Manor which have been prominently featured in overseas newspapers. which have given rise to the trade boycott,” he said.