The urgent court application brought by two of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s closest friends to interdict Media24 from using the term "Alex Mafia" would not only hinder media freedom, but also the public’s right to know.
This is according to the answering affidavit filed by News24’s editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson on behalf of Media24, which was filed on Wednesday.
"These are far-reaching incursions into free speech, free press, and even political freedom. The interdict sought would strike a blow not only against our rights but also the rights of the public," Basson said.