Reports are coming in that cell phones are being jammed at the National Assembly tonight ahead of the President’s State of the Nation address. Reporters entering the buildings are saying that their phones are being blocked once inside.
According to some, police say this is being done because of security, but concerns are high that it will stop reporters doing their jobs if power goes down or the live television feed is cut (last time the latter happened, images were send out via Twitter). With trouble expected tonight from the EFF ahead of the president’s speech, many are concerned about freedom of speech.
Conversely, at the president’s inauguration last year, free WiFi was laid on and celebrated.
The South African Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has called on the police to turn the jammer off.