Journalists and social activists gathered at the SABC’s premises in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban on Friday morning chanting slogans calling for a free media.
This formed part of a picket to show solidarity with suspended SABC journalists who stood up against censorship at the public broadcaster.
The picketers wore black as part of the #BlackFriday rallying call.
Seasoned journalists including Independent Media group executive editor Karima Brown, Sunday Times editor Bongani Siqoko, former City Press editor Ferial Haffajee and social activist Yusuf Abramjee were among those picketing at Aukland Park. DA MP and national spokeswoman Phumzile van Damme also attended.
Brown led her colleagues in chanting “journalism is not a crime”, “no to censorship”, “the SABC is a public broadcaster” and “reinstate them”.
Read more: Journalists heed #BlackFriday rallying call
Some of the placards read “Hlaudi with no chance of news” and “Censorship is as violent as protest”.
The pickets in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban were organised by the SA National Editors Forum, and the Save Our SABC Coalition, among other organisations.
The National Union of Metalworkers, the Organisation Opposing Tax Abuse and the Right2Know Campaign also participated.
@luyolomkentane
The Star