South Africa is the most developed media market on the continent but how free is it? On the day that POLIS launched its report in to the media in Africa, a documentary that is highly critical of the Souh African President, Thabo Mbeki was finally given a platform after months of wrangling between the producers and the broadcaster. It sounds like a blow for press freedom. It was commissioned by the state broadcaster SABC a year ago but even after cuts were made at their insistence it was not shown. Now it will be aired at a documentary film festival while the ANC holds a conference in Johannesberg. SABC say that it was not shown because ‘internal procedures were not followed’ and, of course, the ANC denies any direct interference. It is the latest in a series of incidents which have worried journalists in South Africa who fear the President and his party are clamping down on media freedom as they come under political pressure for the public. It is a familiar African story and a depressing one.