Johannesburg - The sound of vuvuzelas rang through the crisp winter air on Thursday as scores of people picketed while waiting for a decision to be made over alleged censorship at the SABC.
The group had hoped that a verdict would be reached by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) rendering the public broadcaster’s decision to ban the airing of visuals of violent protests invalid.
But by 6pm, officials were still stuck in a meeting and no decision had yet been made.
Among those who were picketing outside Icasa’s Joburg offices was former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, social activist Yusuf Abramjee, as well as members of the Right2Know (R2K) campaign and the SOS Coalition.
Icasa employees, who have been striking since Monday over alleged salary discrepancies, restructuring policies and other issues, also joined the picket.
The group, who started arriving at the offices of the Sandton premises from around 8am, sang and danced. Many of them waved R2K flags and signs which said “Show us real news”.
“Show us proper news, not propaganda,” one man screamed.
Addressing the crowd, the man said he hoped Icasa would rule “in favour of democracy and protect the media".
In May, various organisations, including Media Monitoring Africa, the Freedom of Expression Institute and the SOS Coalition, lodged a complaint over the public broadcaster’s ban.
SABC employees, political parties and organisations have spoken out against the broadcaster, calling for the removal of its chief operations officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.