Journalist against media bill

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

A South African journalist arrested after writing about alleged police corruption said a proposed media bill could transform a country known for being among Africa's most free and transparent to one more like autocratic Zimbabwe.

Mzilikazi wa Afrika, who is no longer facing charges, spoke to The Associated Press at a protest of more than 300 people marching against the government's media proposals.

"We are going back to apartheid and pushing South Africa to the same level as Zimbabwe," wa Afrika said.

Since neighbouring Zimbabwe enforced sweeping media laws in 2003, scores of journalists have been arrested, harassed and assaulted. Four Zimbabwe-based foreign reporters were expelled and entry visas for foreign media representatives were frozen. Several local reporters were denied official media accreditation