Zapiro fighting lawsuit and censorship initiative

South African editorial cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro (AKA “Zapiro”) is fighting two lawsuits lodged against him by South African President Jacob Zuma for what is claimed offensive cartoons. Combined, the two defamation suits seek damages up to 7 million. Not only is Zapiro fighting those suits, he’s also fighting against a government initiative that would “seek to monitor information published by media groups.” He says that the government is trying to “close down certain kinds of criticism, speech and reporting that constituted the freedom of expression.”