SABC owes South Africans an explanation

The African National Congress Youth League has learnt with concern of the reported orders given to SABC presenter Sakina Kamwendo to cancel interviews planned to discuss the ANC 53rd National Conference with several  journalists yesterday, 5th December 2012 (see report).

Despite who gave these tragic orders or for what purpose, censorship of views is contrary to the rights of freedom of expression enshrined in our Constitution. The South African Broadcasting Corporation consistently fails to uphold objectivity in the execution of its mandate and has become a ridiculous pawn in the political theatre they are expected to impartially report on.

The SABC owes the people of South Africa an explanation why at any point they would find it correct to gag anybody's view on a matter of national importance such as the ANC 53rd National Conference. In the absence of such explanation, South Africans can only conclude that there is political interference at play driven by a  powerful nameless group desperate to deliver this country to dictatorship and elements of despots.

We once again call upon the SABC to exercise fair and objective reporting as we advance to Mangaung. The public broadcaster must of necessity resist the temptation to be used to fight  political battles and should uphold the values of press freedom guaranteed by our democracy

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, December 5 2012

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