AfriForum lays charge and awaits legal opinion on position of Afrikaans on SABC TV
"AfriForum will oppose the decreasing offer of Afrikaans on SABC TV in every possible way." This was said by Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, after it had become known in the media that Afrikaans television news bulletins will indeed be moved from SABC2 to SABC3. SABC3 has a much smaller reception area than SABC2, which means that substantially fewer people will henceforth be able to watch Afrikaans news bulletins.
"The areas where SABC3 cannot be received include large parts of the Northern Cape, Eastern Free State, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. These are areas where the majority of the people actually speak Afrikaans. It is unacceptable that the SABCas public broadcaster elects to forsake its obligation to the Afrikaans-speaking community," she added. "The Afrikaans community may claim their language rights and the violation of such rights cannot be accepted."
When the first rumours became known re this step, AfriForum asked the SABC for more information. No reply has beenreceived yet. "We are aware that complaints against the SABC were submitted to the Independent Communications Authorityof South Africa (ICASA) at that stage. In the light of the most recent announcement, AfriForum will also lodge a complaint withthe Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB). A decision regarding future legal action will be made on the basis offeedback from ICASA and PANSALB.
In a related matter, AfriForum reported that it is also currently awaiting a legal opinion regarding the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as Chief Operations Officer of the SABC. With the controversy regarding his qualifications, management decisions, employment, attitudes toward women's rights and press freedom, as well as the position of Afrikaans, his appointment is unacceptable.
"It seems as if the SABC is increasingly becoming deeper entangled in controversy and mismanagement. AfriForum iscommitted to ensure by all possible means that the protection of language rights, accountability, good governance and mediafreedom will be promoted and protected," she said.
Statement issued by Alana Bailey, Deputy Chief Executive, AfriForum, July 15 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
