Johannesburg - Controversial SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng has reportedly reneged on meeting with representatives of the media to discuss the suspension of staff members.
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.
We going to SABC as agreed with #Hlaudi- he says he will no longer see us. Media is invited #SABCcensorship
— Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) July 4, 2016
However on Monday he reportedly rescinded on the agreement and is set to go ahead with disciplinary action against affected staff members.
Special Assignment executive producer Busisiwe Ntuli, SAfm current affairs executive producer Krivani Pillay and senior investigative journalist Jacques Steenkamp were on Thursday slapped with charges pertaining to illegal conduct after raising their concerns about censorship in a letter to Motsoeneng, who is widely viewed as President Jacob Zuma’s ally.
In their letter they described how the draconian censorship policy had turned the newsroom into a hub of “derision and despair” and how it had solicited negative sentiments from the public.
Their sanction followed the suspension of another three editorial staff including economics editor Gqubule, Radio Sonder Grense executive editor Foeta Krige and senior journalist Suna Venter.
They were placed on suspension after defying Motsoeneng’s orders not to cover an anti-censorship protest outside the SABC’s Auckland Park, Joburg, headquarters.
All these journalists, including parliamentary reporter Lukhanyo Calata, were expected to appear before the disciplinary hearing on Friday.
[UPDATE TO FOLLOW]