Right2Know protests against SABC censorship

Members of the Right2Know campaign protested outside of the SABC offices on 20 June.

The protest, which took place in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban was a bid to get the public broadcaster to remove the ban on violent protests being aired on TV – a decision the campaign views as a form of censorship.

Gauteng provincial officer for Right2Know, Ntombiyebongo Tshabalala said that they decided to protest outside of the SABC offices when they heard that SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng plans to remove images of protests that turn violent.

“We need news that is relevant to us,” pleaded Tshabalala. She added that people need to see what happens in their communities – good or bad. “We are tired of seeing news that is obscene and that adds no value to our lives.”

The protest was joined by unionists, NGOs and some community members.

Tshabalala expressed that Right2Know wants people to know that they are not alone in their struggles. “Right2Know is there to help people and to be their voice,” she said. She added that this is why such protests are important, as people will know there is a campaign set out to help them.

Although they did not get to see Motsoeneng, they did manage to see SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago. The members presented Kganyago with a memorandum asking the SABC to broadcast footage of violent protests. He signed to indicate that he received the memorandum.

Kganyago was not immediately available for comment, but questions were sent to him and comment is awaited.

Details: Right2Know, Ntombiyebongo@gmail.com or 011 339 1533;078 594 8962.