The SABC on Wednesday backtracked on its decision to take on review the Independent Communications Authority’s (Icasa’s) order that it withdraw the decision to ban footage of violent protests where public property was being burnt.
The public broadcaster’s attorney‚ Titus Mchunu‚ said the SABC had had an opportunity to study the Icasa order‚ and he was instructed that his client would now abide by it.
This was confirmed by Icasa spokesperson Paseka Maleka.
“The SABC has informed Icasa that it will abide by the order of (Icasa’s) council with immediate effect‚” he said.
The SABC also capitulated in court earlier on Wednesday and agreed to withdraw its decision not to broadcast the footage.
It was not clear how this affected the seven of the eight suspended SABC employees‚ who were fired this week for questioning the editorial decision.
Four of the journalists — Foeta Krige‚ Suna Venter‚ Jacques Steenkamp and Krivani Pillay — were expected to approach the Labour Court on Thursday in a bid to have their dismissals overturned. They were informed on Monday that they had been fired.
The remaining three — Busisiwe Ntuli‚ Thandeka Gqubule and Lukhanyo Calata — were axed on Tuesday.
The crowdfunding campaign set up to help the dismissed journalists pay their bills is soaring.
In one day‚ an amount of $22‚329 (over R320‚000) has been pledged — raised from 345 people.
The campaign was launched by News24 editor Adriaan Basson on Generosity.com (https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/friends-of-sabc-journalists).
“At month-end they have to pay bills... This is a call to all who value media freedom and deeply care about the state of journalism in SA to crowd source some money for them‚ just to see them through the worst few weeks of their professional lives. Donate anything‚ however small‚ to help them and show them our unwavering support‚” he wrote.
Attorney Willem de Klerk had agreed to distribute the funds raised through his firm’s trust account at the end of July‚ Basson said. The money will be divided equally.
- Tiso Black Star Group Digital/BDLive
SABC’s lawyer says the broadcaster will abide by Icasa’s ruling‚ while fund to help journalists grows
The public broadcaster’s attorney‚ Titus Mchunu‚ said the SABC had had an opportunity to study the Icasa order‚ and he was instructed that his client would now abide by it.
This was confirmed by Icasa spokesperson Paseka Maleka.
“The SABC has informed Icasa that it will abide by the order of (Icasa’s) council with immediate effect‚” he said.
The SABC also capitulated in court earlier on Wednesday and agreed to withdraw its decision not to broadcast the footage.
It was not clear how this affected the seven of the eight suspended SABC employees‚ who were fired this week for questioning the editorial decision.
Four of the journalists — Foeta Krige‚ Suna Venter‚ Jacques Steenkamp and Krivani Pillay — were expected to approach the Labour Court on Thursday in a bid to have their dismissals overturned. They were informed on Monday that they had been fired.
The remaining three — Busisiwe Ntuli‚ Thandeka Gqubule and Lukhanyo Calata — were axed on Tuesday.
The crowdfunding campaign set up to help the dismissed journalists pay their bills is soaring.
In one day‚ an amount of $22‚329 (over R320‚000) has been pledged — raised from 345 people.
The campaign was launched by News24 editor Adriaan Basson on Generosity.com (https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/friends-of-sabc-journalists).
“At month-end they have to pay bills... This is a call to all who value media freedom and deeply care about the state of journalism in SA to crowd source some money for them‚ just to see them through the worst few weeks of their professional lives. Donate anything‚ however small‚ to help them and show them our unwavering support‚” he wrote.
Attorney Willem de Klerk had agreed to distribute the funds raised through his firm’s trust account at the end of July‚ Basson said. The money will be divided equally.
- Tiso Black Star Group Digital/BDLive
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