In February, the Johannesburg High Court banned Sunday newspapers from publishing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, ruling that they were an affront to the dignity of Muslims. A local Muslim group had sought the injunction after one of the cartoons appeared in the independent weekly Mail & Guardian. Ferial Hafferjee, the Mail & Guardian's editor, received threats after the cartoon appeared.

The government approved a controversial bill in August that would bring print and broadcast media under the Film and Publications Board and subject them to potential censorship. Local press freedom groups said they would consider a constitutional challenge if parliament approved the bill. In October, the government announced it would delay the bill until 2007 to allow for more consultation, according to news reports.

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