The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has ordered the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to withdraw its ban on the broadcasting of violent protests and destruction of property, which it made at the end of May.
#ICASA has ordered SABC to withdraw "decision not to broadcast visuals of violent protests. pic.twitter.com/cFsgUGRLVf
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 11, 2016
This came after the ban set out by SABC Chief Operating Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, resulted in the suspension of SABC journalists, Acting Group CEO Jimi Matthew’s resignation and pickets by journalists who have said that the recent developments at the SABC bordered on censorship.
BREAKING: #ICASA has ruled that the SABC's resolution banning coverage of voilent protest must be withdrawn immediately. #SABCcensorship
— Leandri Janse van Vuuren (@Lean3JvV) July 11, 2016
Acting chairperson of Icasa, Rubben Mohlaloga made the announcement at a media briefing this afternoon. Icasa, a Chapter 9 institution, is responsible for regulating the telecommunications, broadcasting and postal industries in the public interest.
“The Authority also issues licenses to telecommunications and broadcasting service providers’, enforces compliance with rules and regulations, protects consumers from unfair business practices and poor quality services, hears and decides on disputes and complaints brought against licensees and controls and manages the effective use of radio frequency spectrum,” Icasa’s website read.
