Johannesburg - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Tuesday labelled the scathing ANC statement against its recent controversial decisions as misleading, adding that its resolve not to broadcast violent protests was an editorial stance and not a shift in policy.
"The SABC would like to reiterate that the decision taken was an editorial decision and not a change of its editorial policy; therefore it is incorrect to insinuate that this was a policy issue. This editorial decision is informed amongst other things by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa’s code of conduct where it articulates the issue of violence and hate speech," the organisation said in a statement.
The public broadcaster said its decision should been seen in the context of the BCCSA code as, as sections 3 and 4 of the code sought to encourage broadcasters not to glamorise violence or broadcast material that would encourage violence.
"The editorial decision by the SABC then seems rational if judged in this context. It should be noted that the decision is not to censor any violent protests but not to glamorise the act of burning public property. The aftermath of the burnt property will however be shown."
ANC chief whip and chairman of its communications sub-committee, Jackson Mthembu on Tuesday distanced his party from the controversial decisions by SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
Mthembu said the ruling party has called Communications Minister Faith Muthambi to a meeting in a bid to tackle what the party called the "unconstitutional" new editorial policy of the SABC which bans the broadcast of violent protests, a decision which saw senior journalists at the public broadcaster speaking out and subsequently being suspended.
On the disciplinary action against the suspended senior journalists, the public broadcaster said it was its prerogative as the employer to do so.
"The corporation has also noted the continuous media reports and public utterances purporting that the corporation’s editorial policies are illegal. The SABC would like to put it on record that as required by law it has duly followed the process and consulted with stakeholders through public consultations which were held countrywide. We have records of several civil society organisations and political parties that attended these consultation sessions. It is appalling that they have mysteriously and conveniently developed amnesia," said the SABC.
"The SABC has also taken serious exception to the insinuation that the board and management are not adequately educated, skilled and experienced in running of the organisation. The SABC leadership has all the required skills, experience and expertise to run the organisation."
SABC board chairman Mbulaheni Maguvhe said Motsoeneng did not make decisions all by himself at the public broadcaster.
“It is unfortunate that the statement made by Mr Jackson Mthembu has resulted into a personal attack that suggests that Mr Motsoeneng makes all decisions alone.
“The public must be reminded of all the good achievements including the recent introduction of prioritising local content in all our platforms and many other measures to ensure that the SABC is financially sustainable," he said.
African News Agency