The next step in the SABC’s censorship of media
The Democratic Alliance says that it has been “reliably” informed that all SABC radio stations will soon be banned from reading out newspaper headlines on-air.
This follows controversial moved from SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng to ban all visual coverage of “violent protests” in the country, and the canning of The Editors news program, which got insight into current affairs from other media groups.
“The reading of the morning’s newspaper headlines is a practice on radio and TV stations worldwide, particularly on news and talk radio, as a method to review stories currently in the news cycle,” said DA national spokesperson Phumzile van Damme.
“The banning of the reading of newspapers can only be viewed as yet another attempt by Motsoeneng to censor any negative news stories about the ANC on SABC radio stations ahead of the local government election.”
The party claimed that Motsoeneng is controlling the public broadcaster to manipulate news coverage in favour of the ANC ahead of the 2016 local elections.
Over the last year, the COO has “clearly demonstrated that has no intention of providing fair and truthful coverage of the elections,” the DA said, primarily through:
- The attempted banning of call-ins;
- The canning of Vuyo Mvoko’s talk show;
- The canning of “the Editors” on SAFM;
- Banning of footage of violent protests; and
- Censorship and delaying of opposition TV adverts.
“(Motsoeneng) has been the driver of the ‘Zumafication’ of the public broadcaster and has been protected and promoted by the ANC despite several findings against him in court and by the Public Protector,” the party said.
During the last round in court, the COO indicated that he would be petitioning the Supreme Court of Appeal for leave to appeal the Western Cape High Court judgment which refused him leave to appeal. He has until Friday to do so.
The Western Cape High Court had originally found that his appointment at the SABC was irrational and unlawful and thus set it aside. Should his petition to the SCA fail, the DA said it will seek to have the Western Cape High Court’s order enforced.
More on SABC censorship
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Communications minister welcomes SABC protest ‘censorship’
SABC accused of censoring the DA – again
SABC channel will have 80% local content by July: Motsoeneng
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