South Africa Passes ‘Secrecy Bill’

Members of South Africa’s Parliament on Tuesday passed a controversial “secrecy” bill whose critics fear it will be used as an excuse to muzzle the media and inhibit investigative journalism. The legislature said the bill would help protect state secrets and national security. Journalists dressed in black protested outside the government building where the vote took place, and prominent South African leaders, including the office of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, denounced the bill.