The ANC has bowed to pressure on the Protection of Information Bill on Friday and promised major concessions to bring the legislation in line with the Constitution

The ruling party agreed to drastically narrow the scope of the bill and to scrap minimum sentences for publishing classified information, which had been seen as a threat to the media and whistle-blowers.

MP Luwellyn Landers, who has led the ruling party’s arguments in  the committee drafting the bill, said the rethink came as a result of serious concern expressed by senior ANC members and civil society.