The delay of Parliament's vote on the Protection of State Information Bill proves that pressure on the government is working, the National Press Club said on Tuesday.
"We remain of the view that the Bill is unconstitutional. All clauses that infringe on our rights need to be withdrawn," club chairman Yusuf Abramjee said in a statement.
"The National Press Club will continue to express its views on this issue and work with related organisations against the Bill in its current form possibly being tabled in the future," he said.
The African National Congress postponed Parliament's vote on the bill at the eleventh hour on Monday to allow for further consultation, but said the legislation would be finalised by the end of the year. ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga said the decision was made because interest groups had asked for another chance to make input on the state secrets legislation.
"If we have sections of society saying they still need to be heard... we have to listen to them," he said.
Pressed for a time frame, he said: "By the end of the year, we are going to finalise this bill."
The bill was expected to be passed by the National Assembly on Tuesday.
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