Johannesburg - SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng has agreed to review the facts surrounding the suspension of three SABC journalists and meet with representatives of the protestors for media freedom on Monday.
This comes after the group staged a picket outside the SABC’s headquarters in Auckland Park on Friday. Protestors then proceeded to march to the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein.
The group was represented by the Broadcasting, Electronic Media and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU), the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA) and their New Trade Union Federation, the SOS Coalition, the Right2Know Campaign and the independent media (Primedia and the Independent Media Group).
They met with Motsoeneng about the revised and adopted 2016 editorial policy, the suspension and threatening of journalists, the ending of labour brokering at the broadcaster and participation of workers unions in the SABC.
The groups and representatives of the SABC reached an agreement to meet on Monday at the broadcaster’s head office to receive feedback on some of the issues raised.
“After a robust discussion with the COO Motsoeneng and his senior staff members the following was agreed:
Firstly that COO will review the facts surrounding the disciplinary of the SABC 3 which is due to resume in one weeks time and report back on Monday, 4 July 2016 at 12 noon at the SABC Headquarters in Auckland Park.
Secondly, that MWASA will forthwith be entitled to fully engage with the SABC management on the process towards ending of the use of labour brokers.
On the remaining items, particularly on the unlawfully revised editorial policies, these remain to be addressed at Monday’s meeting,” the statement reads.
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Saturday Star