COPE QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN SABC NEWS EDITORIAL POLICY

The Congress of the People has reliable information that proves beyond doubt that the SABC news bulletins are directed straight from Luthuli House and that the agenda of the news and current affairs programmes are coordinated to coincide with Government's propaganda programmes.

According to reliable sources the ANC/government programme was presented to SABC news reporters by the controversial Mr Phil Molefe.  Mr Molefe said the SABC commits itself to "social reconstruction" which will define their news agenda.  The social responsibility activities,which has become the order of the day are part and parcel of this programme.

"This represents a major policy shift by the Zuma administration and constitutes an unacceptable power grab of the independence of the SABC turning the SABC into the propaganda arm of government" says Juli Kilian, COPE MP and member of the Communication Portfolio Committee.

COPE has identified a dangerous trend of electioneering through the public broadcaster by the ruling party. This is illegal and will give the ruling party an unfair advantage over other parties towards the local government elections and the next general election. Together with moves on the part of government to muzzle the media through the proposed media tribunal and protection of information bill, it spells dark days for media freedom in the country.

"The SABC is a creature of statute - section 10(1)(d) of the Broadcasting Act stipulates that the public service MUST "provide significant news and public affairs programming which meets the highest standard of journalism, as well as fair and unbiased coverage, impartiality, balance and independence from government, commercial and other interests"

COPE has submitted questions to the National Assembly to force the Minister of Communication to come clean on this matter.

We will rally support from ordinary South Africans and all parties and institutions who understand how dangerous interference in the public broadcaster will be.

The SABC belongs to the South African public and not to the ANC - South Africans pay licence fees and their taxes have bailed out a bankrupt SABC. 

Statement issued by Juli Kilian, Congress of the People, August 24 2010

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter