#SABCcensorship: 'Hlaudi lied to us'

SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng. File picture: Paballo Thekiso

SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng. File picture: Paballo Thekiso

Published Jul 4, 2016

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The Civil Society Action Group Against SABC Censorship has accused the broadcaster’s COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng of lying to them.

The group was set up after seven journalists were suspended for speaking out against censorship and the editorial direction at the national broadcaster.

 They demanded Motsoeneng review the suspension and intimidation of journalists at the SABC, and called on the national broadcaster to withdraw revised and adopted 2016 editorial policies, which included a blanket ban on protests.

On #BlackFriday Motsoeneng met a delegation including the New Trade Union federation, the Media Workers Association of South Africa (Mwasa), the SOS Coalition, representatives of Primedia and Independent Media, and the Right2Know Campaign.

They demanded Motsoeneng review the suspension and intimidation of journalists at the SABC, and called on the national broadcaster to withdraw revised and adopted 2016 editorial policies, which included a blanket ban on protests.

Motsoeneng then promised to review the situation and report back.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group says Motsoeneng was a no-show at a meeting on Friday to address the suspensions and pending disciplinary action.

Read:  #SABCcensorship: Hlaudi opts out of meeting

“The SABC’s refusal to lift the suspension of seven journalists is a direct threat to the ability of the public broadcaster to report freely and fairly on the upcoming local government elections, which are just under a month away. The political interference and advancement of sectarian interests over the public’s poses a threat to our constitutional democracy, and like the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the SABC’s impartiality cannot be compromised or brought into question, given that the vast majority of the people of South Africa rely on this critical public utility to make informed decisions, including to exercise their right to information in order to make an considered vote.

“The public broadcaster, which has been perverted illegally by Mr Motsoeneng, assisted by a the remaining delinquent SABC Board are also guilty of implementing unlawful editorial directives.

"The Broadcasting Act, 1999, requires that the national public broadcaster transparently and purposively consults the public on its editorial policies and guidelines.

"This has not been done, and as a result, Mr Motsoeneng has designated himself editor-in-chief unlawfully, calling himself “the alpha and omega” of the SABC. Moreover, a Court of law has ruled that Mr Motsoeneng’s appointment as COO was “irregular, irrational and unlawful”.

“The current conditions of censorship in the SABC, coupled with Motsoeneng’s rule by diktat, sends a chilling effect throughout the entire organisation, and encourages self-censorship which impairs the credibility of news and current affairs programming. The SABC is obligated to report on the news as they happen without fear or favour, and without interference by political, commercial or sectarian interests.

"The SABC is the single largest and most accessed mass-media communication institution in South Africa. Its language diversity makes it the only source of news for the vast majority of South Africans, particularly the most marginalised. Seven out of the 13,4 million TV-owning households in South Africa rely almost exclusively on it for their news and information services.”

Last Friday protests were held at the SABC's offiices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, culminating in a march the the Constitututional Court 

To date at least 13 local government candidates have already been killed, and the group says the “SABC’s reportage poses a threat to free and fair elections.”

The Civil Society Action Group Against SABC Censorship has called an urgent action meeting at Civic House in Newtown on Monday at 4.30pm.

IOL, adapted from a press release

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