All newspapers, television channels and radio stations owned by members of the Russian government will be put up for sale, according to presidential aide Arkady Dvorkovich, Polit.ru reported today.

The announcement comes following a speech given by President Dmitry Medvedev at the Federal Assembly of Russia, during which he outlined that public figures as such should not be the owners of "factories, newspapers, steamships," Trud.ru wrote. He said official bodies should only be involved with fields that encourage quality performance of duties, suggesting that all other industries should be privatised.

Dvorovich: Image via Popnano

"Right now, it's a pointless waste of time. They are to be sold, but the date hasn't been established yet," Dvorkovich said, Interfax.ru informed.

Trud.ru pointed out that around 80 percent of regional press is currently owned by the corresponding local authorities. Dvorkovich said he believes it is necessary to focus on nurturing the concept of the Russian media as an independent source of information, News.Bcm notified.

Another possible reason for wanting to sell? Running media companies is an expensive undertaking.

The South African government is debating the role of the press and government control over keeping federal information secret after the country's ruling political party, the African National Congress, has backed proposals to tighten controls on the media, Reuters Africa reported yesterday.

The proposed tribunal would control print media in order to "enhance accountability and improve reporting," a senior ruling party official said, the article explained. The Media Appeals Tribunal would investigate complaints against print media, and decide on punishments when it deems irresponsible reporting has taken place, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Image: ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu. Photo via Times Live

Media groups have denounced the ANC's proposition, saying the tribunal is an attempt by the party to stop investigative reporters who expose corruption in the one-party ruled government, according to Reuters.

Over the weekend, 37 newspapers voiced their dismay over the ANC "clampdown" at an event called the "Auckland Park Declaration," iol.co.za reported.

Four Bolivian organisations, which represent newspapers, journalists and editors, have requested the derogation of the recently approved electoral law as it violates the Constitution and threats freedom of speech, the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas reported yesterday.

The law, signed on June 30 by President Evo Morales, does not allow candidates to the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Tribunal to give interviews and limits media from publishing electoral polls. According to EFE, it also prohibits the publication of partial results and documents that have not been approved by the Electoral Power.

The National Press Association, the National Journalist Association of Bolivia, the Bolivian Association of Radios and La Paz Association of Journalists said in a joint press release that they only recognise press law approved in 1925 and rejected governmental pressure towards media and journalists.

In an effort to cut down on "libel tourism" and better protect freedom of speech for media outlets and those working in the research sector, the UK government will review its laws as part of a libel reform campaign, MediaGuardian reported today.

The government is looking to introduce a bill soon, and today the Ministry of Justice announced it will conduct a consultation over the summer, and put a draft defamation bill before Parliament early next year, according to the Press Association.

"In reviewing the law we want to focus on ensuring that freedom of speech and academic debate are protected and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation," Justice Minister Lord McNally said, according to the PA article published by the Independent. "We want to ensure that the right balance is achieved so people who have been defamed are able to take action to protect their reputation but so that freedom of speech is not unjustifiably impeded."

Journalists, academics and people in the scientific community who want to write reports that may be viewed as unfavourable to their subjects or third parties are usually subjected to threats from accusers who know the current libel laws are on their side, as the burden of proof rests on the defendant.