Publications • Articles • Presentations & Webinars • Podcasts
PUBLICATIONS
- Chambers and Partners Practice Guides: TMT 2024: South Africa – Trends and Developments (2024)
- Academy of Science of South Africa & Academy of Engineering Evaluation of Alternative Telecommunication Technologies for the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area (Part of a team of authors)
- Limpitlaw, J. & Schunck, M. Communications Sector, Chapter 7 in Africa’s Services Trade Liberalization and Integration under the AfCFTA, the 10th Edition of Assessing Regional Integration in Africa Report. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
- Limpitlaw, J. & Schunck, M. Communications Sector, Chapter 7 in Africa’s Services Trade Liberalization and Integration under the AfCFTA, the 10th Edition of Assessing Regional Integration in Africa Report. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
- Limpitlaw, J. (2021). Media Law Handbook for Southern Africa (Second Edition) Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Regional Media Programme, Johannesburg, (Three Volumes).
The Media Law Handbook Southern Africa (First Edition) has been prescribed as a set work in a number of Southern African Universities and is used by students, academics, communications regulators, media practitioners, lawyers, and media owners all over Southern Africa. The countries covered in the second edition are: Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Limpitlaw, J. (2020). South Africa, Chapter 30 in Global Telecommunications Law and Practice (Revision Service 68, 2020). Colin Long (ed.), Thomson Reuters (Professional) Limited, (Sweet & Maxwell), London, pp 5201-5274 (73 pages).
This publication is one of the most detailed explications and analyses of telecommunications regulatory environments in dozens of countries in the world. It is the “go to” reference work for communications regulatory lawyers internationally.
- Limpitlaw, J (2019) Human Rights Impacts of Taxing Popular Internet Services: the cases of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Association for Progressive Communications (APC) (15 pages). Published online at https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/human-rights-impacts-taxing-popular-internet-services-cases-kenya-tanzania-and-uganda
- Limpitlaw, J. (2016). Media Law Handbook for Eastern Africa, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Regional Media Programme, Johannesburg (Volumes 1 and 2). (627 pages)
This is a two-volume extension of the Media Law Handbook for Southern Africa and it covers: Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Eastern Africa is a region that is severely under-researched and this is a ground-breaking work on media laws in that region.
- Permanent Court of Arbitration (2011). Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Outer Space Activities, Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Netherlands.
Justine Limpitlaw was one of eleven members appointed to the Advisory Expert Group to advise on the Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes relating to Outer Space, developed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague (2010 to 2012).
- Limpitlaw, J. (2010). Regulation of space activities in South Africa, Chapter 12 in National Regulation of Space Activities, Jakhu, R. (ed.) Springer, New York, pp. 267 – 314 (48 pages).(Winner of the 2011 Social Sciences Book Award of the International Academy of Astronautics)
- White, J. (2008). Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), Chapter 24E in Constitutional Law of South Africa, 2nd Edition, Volume 2, Woolman, S., Roux, T., Klaaren, J., Stein, P., Chaskalson, A. & Bishop, M. (eds), Juta, Cape Town, pp. 24E-1 – 24E16 (16 pages).
- White, J. (1998). Open democracy: Has the window of opportunity closed? South African Journal on Human Rights, Volume 14, Part 1, pp. 65 – 76 (12 pages).
- Kriel, R. & White, J. (1997). Administrative law, Chapter 3 in Annual Survey of South African Law, Juta, Cape Town, pp. 98 – 135 (38 pages).
- Johannessen, L., Klaaren, J, & White, J. (1995). A motivation for legislation on access to information, South African Law Journal, Volume 112, Part 1, pp. 45 – 60 (16 pages)
- White, J. (1995). Administrative law, Chapter 3 in Annual Survey of South African Law, Juta, Cape Town, pp. 43 – 75 (33 pages).White, J. (1994). Constitutional litigation, interpretation and fundamental rights, Chapter 2 in Annual Survey of South African Law, Juta, Cape Town, pp. 24 – 70 (47 pages).
ARTICLES
- Parliament pushing through controversial SABC Bill without public hearings should raise alarm op-ed article published on behalf of SOS Coalition in the Daily Maverick, an online media outlet. 26 February 2024
- Non-Appointment of SABC Board Raises Spectre of Lapdog Broadcaster for 2024 Elections op-ed article published in Daily Maverick, an online media outlet. 20 February 2023
- We’re All at Risk of being radicalized by Facebook. Do these 3 things to resist (if you don’t want to delete your account) op-ed article published on the website of America, a weekly magazine published by the Jesuits of the United States. 18 May 2021.
- Dali Mpofu’s Disrespectful ‘Shut Up’ that Reverberated Across the Nation op-ed article published in the Daily Maverick. 24 March 2021.
- Latest Salvoes over SABC’s Plans op-ed article published in the City Press. 13 July 2020.
- A Mother’s Experience of Home Schooling During Covid-19 article published in Spotlight.Africa. 3 June 2020.
- Is the SABC Crisis a Threat to the Upcoming Elections? op-ed article published in the City Press. 20 February 2019.
- SABC: Staggering But Still Upright op-ed article published in the online publication Spotlight.Africa. 18 December 2018.
- Populism Won’t stop SABC Woes op-ed article published in the City Press. 9 November 2018 (co-authored with D. Makuse).
- The Pros and Cons of the Digital Revolution op-ed article published in the Business Day. 2 July 2018 (co-authored with D. Gibb).
- Media has Claws out for Mining Industry op-ed article published in the Business Day. 7 February 2018 (co-authored with D. Limpitlaw).
- Please Save the ICT Sector op-ed article published in the City Press. 4 February 2018 (co-authored with D. Makuse).
- Did the Press Ombud get it Wrong? And if so, how badly? Article published on the HuffingtonPostSA website April 2017.
- We do not want a State Broadcaster op-ed article published in the City Press. 13 December 2015.
- SABC Usurping the President and Parliament’s Powers op-ed article published in the City Press. 22 March 2015.
- In Africa, journalists hamstrung by laws when reporting the news online article published by the Index on Censorship October 2013 (co-authored with C. Echle). http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2013/10/africa-journalists-hamstrung-laws-reporting-news/
- Parliament must Act on SABC Crises op-ed article published by City Press Online. 10 March 2013 (co-authored with K. Skinner).
- “Call for an Insult Law Insults Media Freedom” op-ed article published in Business Day. 18 December 2012 (co-authored with S. Delaney).
- SABC must Make Up for Loss of Face and Faith op-ed article published in the Mail & Guardian. 16 November 2012 (co-authored with K. Skinner)
- “How to Fix the Public Broadcaster” op-ed article published in the Mail & Guardian. 26 May 2009 (co-authored with K. Skinner).
PRESENTATIONS & WEBINARS
- Webinar on the Draft SABC Bill. Media Monitoring Africa. August 2021.
- Webinars on 3 different topics: Fundamental Principles of Freedom of Expression, Media Ethics and Regulation of the Media, and Public Broadcasting March – Wits University’s Law School LLM Course in Media Law. March – May 2021.
- Webinar on the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Content Services. Media Monitoring Africa. January 2021.
- Webinar entitled “Social Media is Designed to Generate Outrage Against The Other” given to the South African Quaker Community. October 2020.
- Webinar on the Draft PAIA Amendment Bill – A civil Society Initiative for Media Monitoring Africa. July 2020.
- Academic lead of the EdX online course: “Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa – the Jeanette Minnie Memorial Course”. June/July 2020.
- Academic lead of the EdX online course: “Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa – the Jeanette Minnie Memorial Course”. October/November 2019.
- Getting Content Right – a set of training modules on the Codes of Conduct of the BCCSA, the Press Council, and ICASA as well as on the ASA Code and ICASA’s Advertising and Sponsorship, Local Content, Electoral and Disability Code Regulations. Primedia Broadcasting: September/October 2019.
- “Middelburg – How not to be the next Welkom. Hint: Embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution”. Presentation (co-authored) made to:
- Smart Mining, Smart Environment and Smart Society Conference hosted by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, July 2019
- Roundtable on Universal Access to the Internet, Free Public Access and Digital Rights hosted by Media Monitoring Africa, June 2019
- the 2019 Yearly Meeting of the Southern Africa Religious Society of Friends, April 2019
- the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2019 Gala Dinner, March 2019
- “Defending Media Spaces Online in Africa – Positive and Negative Developments in Regulating the Internet”, presentation given at a Panel Discussion on Protecting Online Media Space at the Deutche Welle Global Media Forum, Bonn, Germany. May 2019
- “Digital and Broadcast Media – Policy and Regulatory Trends” Course co-ordinator and lecturer on a week-long certificate course. University of the Witwatersrand. March, 2017 and May, 2019.
- “Human Rights and Internet Regulation: An African Perspective” Presentation on the Human Rights, Freedom of Expression and Expression to Information – Role of the Judiciary in Striking a Balance Panel at the 2019 Judicial Colloquium: “Applying International Human Rights Principles/Norms in Judicial Processes. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. March 2019.
- “Living with Integrity in the Digital World” presentation made with Fr. Russell Pollitt SJ of the Jesuit Institute, given to a number of teachers, parents associations etc in schools in Gauteng on social media and children. 2016 – present.
- “Business Environment of the Future: Go Digital – How are we doing?” Presentation made to the Small Business Initiative’s SME Indaba. Johannesburg, November 2018.
- Academic lead of the EdX online course: “Civil Society and African Media Policy in the Digital Age”. October/November 2018 (which included modules on access to information and data protection).
- “Social Media and the Law – What Schools Need to Know”, presentation made at the Digital Pathfinding Conference hosted by the Catholic Institute of Education and the Jesuit Institute. September, 2018.
- Presented a series of lectures on the Certificate Course in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation and Management, namely “Broadcasting and Internet Policy, Law and Regulation” and “Telecommunications Policy, Law and Regulation”, University of the Witwatersrand. August, 2018.
- Public Broadcasting Policy Process – a presentation made to a workshop hosted by Media Monitoring Africa, Johannesburg. July, 2018.
- “Using the Internet in Africa – Privacy and Freedom of Expression Concerns and Challenges” a presentation made to the DIRISA National Research Data Workshop Pretoria, June, 2018.
- “Internet Regulation in Africa” a presentation made to the #AfricaBlogging Conference, Harare, June, 2018.
- “Films and Publications Bill – Where are we now?” a presentation made to a workshop hosted by Media Monitoring Africa, Johannesburg, April, 2018.
- “Introducing the Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill” a presentation made to the members of the South African National Editors’ Forum, Johannesburg, March, 2018.
- “New Developments: Hate Speech Bill and Film and Publications Amendment Bill and Regulations” a presentation on the “Online Regulation” Panel of Media Monitoring Africa’s Media Freedom Week, Johannesburg, October, 2017.
- “Professional and Personal Disruption” a presentation on the “She Disrupts” Panel of the Finding New Ways For Women to Lead in Law, Annual WOLELA (Women Lawyers Network) Conference, Cape Town September 2017.
- “Legislative Reform – Where are we Now?” Presentation at an Online Regulation workshop hosted by Media Monitoring Africa. June 2017.
- “Introduction to Media Law” Guest lecture given on the Media Studies course. University of the Witwatersrand. March, 2017.
- “Media Law Handbook for Eastern Africa” Presentation at the Launch of the 2-volume Media Law Handbook for Eastern Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. February 2017.
- “Hate Speech Regulation – What the Constitution Requires” Presentation at a Hate Speech Workshop hosted by Media Monitoring Africa. November 2016 and January 2017.
- Presented three lectures on the Certificate Course in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation and Management, namely “The Constitution and Administrative Law”, “Broadcasting Policy, Law and Regulation” and “Telecommunications Policy, Law and Regulation”. University of the Witwatersrand. October, 2015 and September 2016.
- “Key Media Law Trends – Sub-Saharan African” – Lecture given to the Journalism Department. Rhodes University. August 2016, and to the Media Studies Department. University of the Witwatersrand. September 2016.
- Presented three lectures on the Certificate and Masters Space Law Course: International and National Satellite Broadcasting Law; International Telecommunications and Satellite Law; SA Telecommunications Law and Regulation. University of Pretoria. February 2016.
- “Living with Integrity in the Digital World” presentation made with Fr. Russell Pollitt of the Jesuit Institute, given to a number of teachers, parents associations etc in schools in Gauteng on social media and children, and to the Catholic Seminary in Cape Town. 2015/6.
- Presented three lectures on the Certificate Course in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation and Management, namely “The Constitution and Administrative Law”, “Broadcasting Policy, Law and Regulation” and “Telecommunications Policy, Law and Regulation”, October, 2015.
- “(New) Norms for Freedom of Expression on the African Continent”, presentation given at an international workshop of the Decriminalization of Expression in Africa Campaign, Johannesburg, September 2015
- Ran a Two Day Orientation Programme on the South African ICT Sector as well as International ICT Trends and Regulatory Developments for members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications, LINK Centre, April 2015.
- “Challenges Facing the Media in the SADC Region” presentation made at the Media Institute of South Africa’s SADC Advocacy Campaign Strategy Meeting, November 2014.
- “International and Regional Regulatory Trends” presentation made at a Broadcasting Conference hosted by the MISA Zimbabwe, Harare, October 2014.
- Developed and Ran a Week-long Course on Broadcasting Policy and Regulatory Trends for the MA Degree and as a Certificate Course, LINK Centre, September 2014.
- “Print Media Law in Southern Africa” lecture given at the Women in Media Management Programme, Johannesburg, September 2014.
- “African Media Laws Undermine Freedom of Expression of Journalists”, a contribution made as part of a panel discussion on New Storytelling for the Continent, Part 1: Telling Africa’s Storyat the Menell Media Exchange. Johannesburg, July 2014.
- Proposals for Reforming Tanzanian Media Laws, a presentation made at the DOX Campaign’s Tanzanian Country Workshop. Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. July 2014.
- “African Media Laws – Threats to Physical and Legal Safety of Journalists”, a presentation given as part of a panel discussion on Working Conditions in the Media – Problems of Physical and Legal Safetyat the Conference on Integrity and Working Conditions in the Media: The Dynamics of Corruption and Professionalism. FES Media Africa and African Media Initiative. Johannesburg, June 2014.
- “The African Decriminalisation of Expression Campaign”, a presentation given as part of a panel discussion on Criminal Defamation and Insult Laws – Why Leaders Won’t Budgeat the 2014 International Press Institute’s World Congress, Cape Town, April 2014.
- “International Telecommunications Regulation”, “Telecommunications Regulation in South Africa” and “International and National Satellite Broadcasting Regulation”, three lectures given as part of the University of Pretoria’s Air, Space and Telecommunications Law Course, February, 2013 and 2014.
- “Classified, Censored, Imprisoned – Why Media Laws Need Reform” – presentation given as part of a Panel Discussion at the Sixth African Media Leaders Forum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 2013
- “Media Law in Southern Africa” – lecture given at the Link Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, 5 September 2013
- “The Media and Social Media: Legal and Regulatory Issues” – Presentation given to the South African National Editors Forum 31 August 2013
- “Telecommunications and Broadcasting: Policy Regulation and Licensing” – lecture given at the Link Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, 17 July 2013
- “Relevant Regional and International Instruments on Public Service Broadcasting”, presentation given at a National Conference on Broadcasting Reform – Transformation of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation from State to Public Broadcaster, 9 March, 2013.
- “International Telecommunications Regulation”, “Telecommunications Regulation in South Africa” and “International and National Satellite Broadcasting Regulation”, three lectures given as part of the University of Pretoria’s Air, Space and Telecommunications Law Course, 21 February 2013.
- “Q: What are the Challenges for African Media Owners and Managers? A: Flex Muscles to Tackle Unfriendly Media Laws”. Presentation given at the Fifth African Media Leaders Forum. Dakar, Senegal. 8 November 2012.
- “Key Challenges in Broadcasting Regulation in SADC”. Presentation given on the Radio Management Course. University of the Witwatersrand. 31 October 2012.
- · “The Media and Classified Information in South Africa – a case of the Pushmi Pullyu”. Presentation given at “The Media World After WikiLeaksand News of the World” Conference hosted by UNESCO, Paris, France, 16-17 February 2012.
- “Are Journalism Ethics At Risk: Peculiarities of the African Media Landscape” and “The African Platform for Access to Information: Strategies for Combating Repressive Media Laws” Presentations given at the Fourth African Media Leaders Forum. Tunis, Tunisia. 10 and 11 November 2011.
- “Media Freedom in Southern Africa – Constitutionalism Betrayed”. Keynote Address given at African Constitutionalism and the Media, a conference co-hosted by the University of Pretoria, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers. 3 and 4 August 2011.
- Two presentations: “A Critique of and Proposals regarding the SABC’s Legal Structure” and “A Critique of and Proposals regarding Public Broadcasting Oversight and Governance Structures” presented at A new Citizenship Vision for Public Broadcasting – SOS’s Contribution to the Minister’s Broadcasting Policy Review Process.A Broadcasting Stake-holder Roundtable hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. 27 July 2011.
- “Dealing with the Media – a Guide for Judges” a two-part presentation given at a workshop for Judges co-hosted by the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria and Centre for Applied Legal Studies, and the Journalism Programme at the Graduate School, University of the Witwatersrand (October 2008).
- “An overview of South Africa’s New Electronic Communications Act” a paper given at a workshop for practitioners co-hosted by the Link Centre and the School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand (December 2006).
- “The Adequacy of the Current Legal and Regulatory Framework Regarding Commercial Activities in Outer Space – A Developing Country Perspective” (with Dr Peter Martinez) a paper given at an Interdisciplinary Workshop on Policy and Law Relating to Outer Space Resources: the Example of the Moon, Mars and Other Celestial Bodies hosted by the Institute of Air and Space Law and the International Institute of Space Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (June 2006).
- “ICASA – Section 192 of the Constitution” paper given at a Conference to launch the 2ndEdition of “Constitutional Law of South Africa”, University of Pretoria (March 2006)
- “Ways and Means of Promoting Education in Space Law in Africa” a paper presented at a United Nations Workshop on Space Law entitled “Meeting International Responsibilities and Addressing Domestic Needs”, Abuja, Nigeria (November 2005).
- “South African Communications Law: an Overview of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Postal Law and New Legislative Challenges, including Convergence” a series of lectures given during a three-day workshop by the Link Centre for Telecommunications, School for Public and Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand, to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications (March 2005).
- “Telecommunications Regulation: Current Practice and Future Scenarios” presentation to Telkom SA Limited, the South African PSTS provider (September 2004).
- “African Media Law”, series of lectures given at the Summer School on Media Law and Policy hosted by the Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy. Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Oxford University (2004).
- “SADC Communications Regulators: Key Challenges” University of South Africa’s ICT Policy and Regulation Conference (for African Communications Regulators) (2004)
- “Convergence: Key Regulatory Challenges Facing Africa and the Middle East”, paper given in Cairo, Egypt. (2004)
- “Successful Regulation of Telecommunications in Africa: Some Comparative Perspectives”, a paper given at a conference organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation in Ghana (2003).
- “An Introduction to Telecommunications Liberalisation and Regulation in South Africa”, given at conference organised by the Indian Institute of Management held in New Delhi (2002).
- “Challenges facing Mozambique in regulating Telecommunications – Lessons from Elsewhere”, given at a conference organised by Moz.Com in Mozambique (2002).
- “The Regulation of Telecommunication in South Africa – a Legal Snapshot”, lecture given on the Telecommunications Law Course, Columbia University (2001) (co-presented).
- “Administrative Justice and Access to Information – Their Importance in Building Responsive and Accountable Government,” Training Forum for Government Officials from throughout Southern Africa, University of Pretoria (2000).
- “Reflections on the Regulation of Broadcasting and Telecommunication in South Africa,” Conference on Transforming the Public Service, hosted by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, University of the Witwatersrand (2000).
- “Regulating in Accordance with the Rights to Administrative Justice and Access to Information,” South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority internal seminar (1999).
- “The Impact of the Constitutional Right of Access to Information and the Proposed Access to Information Legislation on Criminal Trials,” Justice College Training Seminars for Magistrates and Prosecutors (1998).
- “Proposed Access to Information Legislation: What Amendments Ought to be Made?” Consultative forum for Open Democracy Lobbyists hosted by the Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa (1997).
- “The Truth and Reconciliation Process and the Role of the Former State President, FW De Klerk,” Workshop hosted by Central Connecticut State University (1997).
- “The Truth and Reconciliation Process in South Africa – an Overview,” Social Sciences Faculty Presentation, Randolph-Macon College, VA (1997).
- “From Apartheid to a Rights-Based Constitution: The Legal Transition in South Africa,” Yale Post-Graduate Law Students’ Forum (1996).
- “A Motivation for Access to Information Legislation,” Judges Conference (closed conference for South African Supreme Court Judges) hosted by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, University of the Witwatersrand (co-presented with Jonathan Klaaren and Lene Johannsen) (1994).
PODCASTS
- “Covid-19 SA: Fake News and Government Overreach” with William Bird. Discourse ZA #8. (2020). Available at: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/discourse-za/8-covid19sa-fake-news-and-yiXLFjuW6SP/
- “The Future of the Fourth Estate” with Glenda Daniels. Discourse ZA #7. (2019) Available at: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/discourse-za/7-the-future-of-the-4th-Ice2dpkD9aU/
- “Covid-19 SA: Fake News and Government Overreach” with William Bird. Discourse ZA #8. (2020). Available at: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/discourse-za/8-covid19sa-fake-news-and-yiXLFjuW6SP/
- “The Future of the Fourth Estate” with Glenda Daniels. Discourse ZA #7. (2019) Available at:https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/discourse-za/7-the-future-of-the-4th-Ice2dpkD9aU/