Suzman Foundation wants journalists to tell on SABC

Journalists and people from the media industry gathered outside the SABC in Auckland Park. PICTURE: SOURCED
Journalists and people from the media industry gathered outside the SABC in Auckland Park. PICTURE: SOURCED
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has put the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on notice about its censorship policy. 

It also asked journalists to come forward if they have information about the broadcaster not complying with what the court told it to do.

In a statement‚ the HSF said it “welcomes the order of the Gauteng Division of the High Court‚ Pretoria”‚ which interdicted the SABC from implementing a censorship decision which amounted to a refusal to cover any violent protest or demonstration.

“The HSF has today written to the representatives of the SABC‚ reminding them that any non-compliance with the order will have serious consequences‚” the statement said.

“The HSF encourages all journalists who may have information relating to actions by the SABC or its members which fall outside the ambit of the order to speak out publically‚ or to contact the HSF‚ in order to ensure strict compliance with the order.”

The SABC was interdicted from adopting a policy which would require a certain number of events not to be broadcast or reported upon.

This included any policy which would result in partial coverage of any peaceful demonstrations‚ any violent protests or demonstrations.

On Tuesday‚ the Labour Court will hand down its decision on whether to grant an interdict to set aside the dismissal of four journalists who opposed the controversial editorial “censorship” policies at the SABC.

Trade union Solidarity chief executive Dirk Hermann ?@SolidariDirk tweeted: “SABC 4 judgement postponed till Tuesday 26 July‚ 10:00‚ in Cape Town Labour Court.”

The four journalists – Foeta Krige‚ Suna Venter‚ Jacques Steenkamp and Krivani Pillay – were notified by email of their dismissal for failing to comply with the broadcaster’s policies

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