Sour Africa Plans On Jailing Comedians For The Wrong Joke

If passed into law, a proposed bill could see SA comedians facing 10 years behind bars for 

making certain jokes. The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill was released for public comment last week by Justice Minister Michael Masutha.

According to the provisions of the bill, there will be heavy fines and a maximum jail term of 10 years for anyone convicted of showing bias; prejudice or intolerance on the grounds of race; colour; sex; gender (and gender identity); sexual orientation; religion; belief; culture; language; nationality; birth; disability; HIV status; occupation or trade; albinism and ethnic or social origin.


However, this does not sit well with SA comedians who have criticised the bill for being too broad. Speaking to City Press, Jason Goliath insisted that there’s a big difference between hate speech and what comedians do on stage. Defining the two as one would be totally unfair.

“What comedians do on stage compared with what people like Penny Sparrow, for example, say, shows a definite difference between freedom of speech and hate speech. We do it in the name of fun,” he said. On the contrary, comedian Tol Ass Mo, supported the bill. ............

Culled: buzzsouthafrica