SABC will no longer broadcast destruction of public property

27 May 2016

Johannesburg - The SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will no longer broadcast footage of people destroying public property during protests.

The public broadcaster announced its decision in a statement on Friday morning. The decision would be implemented with immediate effect.

Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng said acts of destroying public property were disrupting the lives of many, and that as a responsible public institution the SABC would not "assist these individuals to push their agenda that seeks media attention".

"As a public service broadcaster we have a mandate to educate the citizens, and we therefore have taken this bold decision to show that violent protests are not necessary."

The SABC said continuing to "promote" such actions could "encourage other communities to do the same".

Motsoeneng encouraged citizens and communities to protest peacefully and not destroy the very institutions they needed.

The SABC said it would "continue to cover news without fear or favour", and called on other media houses to stand in solidarity with its decision not to cover violent protests.

It said it was cognisant of the fact that citizens had a constitutional right to protest and voice their concerns, but that it did not believe destroying property was the best way to voice their grievances.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.