South Africa's National Press Club has called for people opposed to the controversial Protection of Information Bill to wear black clothing or a black ribbon in support of what they call 'Black Tuesday' today.

Parliament is set to pass the bill that activists say will curtail media freedom and those brave enough to publish information from whistleblowers would also face stiff sentences.

The campaign title refers to October 19, 1977, known as Black Wednesday, where the apartheid government banned several well-known South African papers and several organisations as well as individuals.

The Press club said the name of the campaign had been changed to "Black Tuesday" because the National Assembly in Cape Town happened to meet on this day.

According to activists, if the Bill is passed 'the media will not be able to claim it acted in the public interest if it violated or was party to the violation of a law, or published classified information to substantiate a report on for example corruption in government."

According to the Press club's Yusuf Abramjee it was important that all people  "make our voices heard against this draconian law".

He said they were calling on "newspapers to blank/black out some reports on Tuesday to highlight the dangers of the bill.

"Electronic media should bleep some reports and interviews.

"Let's all stand up and make a difference. Say NO to censorship. Say YES to free speech and media freedom" he added.

The Bill has not had an easy path in Parliament. At least 123 amendments were made leading to the current redraft of what was first submitted to Parliament in 2008.

Another 51 clauses were debated and examined and 65 meetings were held by the ad hoc committee.

But ANC MPs have expressed outrage at the planned Black Tuesday events saying they were a "senseless distortion of facts.'"

"The reality of South Africa's vicious history should teach all of us never to campaign in a manner that triviliases the deep pain and suffering experienced by the majority of our people," the ANC said.

Threat

Meanwhile, one of the major trade unions in the country said it was worried that the Bill would disadvantage whistle blowers and workers who were fighting corruption tooth and nail.

In a statement, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) said: "We are also concerned that the Bill is now set to go before the National Assembly and then the National Council of Provinces, before it is sent to President Jacob Zuma to be signed into law."

According to Reuters, Zuma's ruling African National Congress has defended the legislation as conforming to international standards.

State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele rejected calls to include a "public interest" clause to allow for the revealing of secrets for the benefit of citizens.

Cwele said including such a clause would help foreign agents who had "been a threat to the ANC" since it took over at the end of apartheid 17 years ago.