Johannesburg - SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng on Monday said the broadcaster won’t retract it’s decision to ban the broadcasting of violent service delivery protests.
His announcement came hours after the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) ruled that the public broadcaster must withdraw its decision not to televise violent images during protests.
The defiant Motsoeneng said they won’t be “apologetic” about something they believe in.
Read: SABC seeks legal advice about Icasa ruling
“We don’t understand why people want to dictate for SABC…We still believe that we are within the regulation,” he said.
Read: Suspend Hlaudi over protest ban: Solidarity
Motsoeneng reiterated the broadcaster would not withdraw the decision, adding they will fight the issue in the Constitutional Court if they have to.
Earlier during the briefing, security guards were called in to escort a man out of the building after he started shouting “Down with Motsoeneng” while holding a placard which read “We reject censorship propaganda and purges”.
Read: Icasa orders SABC to scrap protest footage ban
SABC chairman Mbulaheni Maguvhe said they have five days to engage their legal team and review the matter with relevant authorities.
Maghuve said they believe they made a moral and conscious decision, explaining that the ban was in place to protect children from being exposed to violent images.
The SABC has been given seven days to respond to Icasa and confirm the reversal of the controversial editorial changes.
African News Agency