What does Muthambi hope to learn from the Chinese Propaganda Machine?
24 July 2015
During this week’s parliamentary oversight visit to the SABC, it emerged that Minister Faith Muthambi was leading a delegation to China that included SABC Chairperson Obert Maghuve and newly appointed CEO Frans Matlala.
When questioned about the purpose of the trip, SABC Deputy Chairperson Leah Khumalo was curiously evasive. After twice avoiding the question, she would only say that the Committee will be furnished with a full report in due course.
Since then, Minister Muthambi’s office has said in a press statement that the trip is a “good opportunity to learn more about China and its development in broadcast and the broader TV industry.” The statement also said that Minister Muthambi would meet with the Chinese Minister of State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, as well as the Minister in the State Council Information Office.
One can only wonder what knowledge our Communications Minister hopes to acquire from a one-party state that was ranked 176 out of 180 countries in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index.