SAJBD response to SABC’s decision to cancel an interview on Metro FM
26 March 2024
Last week Thursday (21 March 2024), the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) found itself at the centre of a maelstrom of public discourse following the announcement of an interview with Millet Ben Haim, a survivor of the harrowing Nova Festival massacre. This interview, intended for SABC's Metro FM, was poised to offer listeners a poignant insight into the devastating impact of conflict on the lives of ordinary citizens in Israel and Palestine, underscoring the critical need for solidarity with all affected civilians.
However, following the station's announcement of the interview on social media, the narrative took an unexpected turn. The SABC issued a statement, "Metro FM Sets the Record Straight," indicating that the interview was cancelled. An investigation was announced to delve further into the matter and related social media posts were promptly removed.
The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) seeks to shed light on the unfolding events and assist in the investigation. Metro FM's invitation to Millet Ben Haim was an opportunity to share her first-hand experience of the Nova Festival, an event that celebrated music and unity but was tragically blighted by an attack that led to significant loss and suffering. The festival, attended by peace-loving individuals, became the site of one of the most horrific civilian massacres ever recorded in Israel.
In the wake of Metro FM's initial announcement to host her, the station faced immediate backlash, notably from artist, Mmabatho Montsho, who cancelled her upcoming interview at the station, because they had planned to host Ben Haim. Seemingly, the SABC capitulated to this bullying and decided to cancel Ben Haim’s interview. Rather than quelling the controversy, it sparked a broader debate about the role of media, the influence of cancel culture, and the importance of diverse narratives in public discourse.