The Durban High Court's dismissal of an application by television and radio stations to broadcast from the Schabir Shaik trial was a blow for freedom of expression, the National Press Club said on Tuesday.

"The club believes that allowing broadcast feeds … would have given many illiterate South Africans access to information that they have a right to receive and would have facilitated access to the legal process," chairperson Ben Rootman said in a statement.

The trial is an event of national importance, he said, as it involves the spending of taxpayers' money.

"The ruling is disappointing as, in effect, it is a ruling against freedom of expression and the right to receive information through recognised communications media."

Judge Hillary Squires earlier dismissed with costs a bid by television broadcaster e.tv, South African Broadcasting Corporation radio, and talk stations 702 and Capetalk for permission to broadcast from the Shaik fraud and corruption trial.

Squires reserved judgement on the matter on November 1 after hearing arguments for the right to broadcast live or use edited audio sound from the trial in news bulletins.

The state and the defence opposed the applications.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Mail & Guardian.