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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 7. 11th April 1973

Baby's Gurgles - Banned

Baby's Gurgles - Banned

In his recent book "Law, Order and Liberty in South Africa", Professor A.S. Mathews writes: "Assuming that the word 'utterance' refers to noises as well as to words it will be illegal to play a recording of the gurgles made by the restricted person while being bathed as an infant".

This remark, which is made quite seriously, draws attention to the fact that any conceivable utterance, statement, etc, whether political or not, whether momentous or trivial, comes under the silencing provision.

"The fact that the restricted person is a brilliant scientist whose addresses and publications will advance knowledge is legally irrelevant.

"Ministerial assent will be required for the transmission of his findings, and their publication without such consent is a criminal offence".