ANC YOUTH LEAGUE STATEMENT ON THE DECLINE OF SABC NEWS VIEWERS' DECLINE

19 March 2012

The ANC Youth League is concerned about the SABC News' viewers decline over the past six months. There are many reasons that led to the decline of the Public Broadcasters' news viewers, and prime amongst this is the fact that some leaders and factions use the SABC for self promotion, particularly towards the ANC 53rd National Conference.

The SABC News' strategic and organisational leadership and vision needs to be refocused to pay attention to younger viewers of television news and current affairs. The cast, presenters, field reporters, studio environment and set up should be more presentable and display the necessary appeal to all South Africans.

Younger and more innovative leadership is required to infuse more appealing methods that will appeal to many South Africans. As a Public Broadcaster with so many regional offices, field reporters, and media workers, the SABC should utilise these to maximum potential and prevent their regional offices from being co-opted into factional agendas.

The SABC should improve and upgrade because the viewership of a Public Broadcaster should never be exceeded by private broadcasters. Private broadcasters are inherently bound to appease the ruling class and those who have money, and pay lesser attention to grassroots and community development programmes, which a Public Broadcaster should prioritise.

In the immediate, all self promotion programmes under SABC News should be cancelled because they do not help society with any useful information, nor take the country forward.

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, March 19 2012

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