After the SABC announced that it would ban the visuals of violent protests, Right2Know boldly picketed against the decision.
The picket took place on 20 June outside the SABC offices in Joburg, Cape Towns and Durban.
Since then COPE and the DA have come forward to voice their strong feelings against the ban citing the broadcaster as a propaganda-based organisation.
Cope spokesperson, Dennis Bloem said that though the SABC might stop airing the violent protest they will never stop the country from knowing the truth.”They will never block other media houses from reporting about violent protests and all this will never stop people’s anger,” said Bloem.
He commended other broadcasters for not getting swayed by the SABC and for reporting on the country’s stories be they good, bad and ugly.
Bloem expressed that the ANC and Hlaudi need to be reminded that after the end of apartheid in 1994, a new Constitution was endorsed which has a Bill of Rights that guarantees that every citizen has the right to freedom of the press and media, the freedom to receive or pass on information.
DA shadow minister of communications and DA national spokesperson, Phumzile van Damme, said the party is in no way in support of the SABC as they believe in the public’s interest to be shown full, honest footage. “The SABC’s incessant censorship is an impediment to our democracy,” she said.
Van Damme concluded that the DA is committed to restoring the integrity and independence of the SABC that should not act to censor communication just because they do not like how it reflects on the ANC’s poor leadership.
“The South African public have a constitutional right to fair and balanced reports that are in their interest, and the SABC’s plot to thwart that is despicable. As such we hope ICASA will rule independently in the benefit of the public and put an end to this irregular behaviour once and for all.”
Details: Right2Know, Ntombiyebongo@gmail.com or 011 339 1533; COPE, copemedia2014@gmail.com or 021 403 8915; DA, 086 122 5532
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