Black Friday protest at SABC

A number of media workers and civil organisation are picketing outside the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) offices in Auckland Park to protest against the censorship of news at the public broadcaster.

Dubbed #BlackFriday, the protest was organised by journalists via social media under #journalistrights and #notinmyname to support their counterparts at the public broadcaster. The protests are held against censorship and in support of SABC employees who have been suspended and also facing disciplinary actions for taking a stand on basic principles of journalism.

In recent months, the editorial policy at the SABC was changed drastically, which among other things, saw the banning of visuals of public property destruction during violent protests, staff was told not to use stories that speak ill of President Jacob Zuma, and reading of newspaper headlines was also banned.

The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) is also supporting the protest saying it is concerned about the impact that the ‘corrosive atmosphere’ at the SABC is having on the public’s right to know. “Recent editorial policy directives are a direct assault not only on the journalism profession but on media freedom as a whole,” read a statement issued by Sanef

Sanef warned against the SABC being turned, once again, into a state broadcaster that only serves the interests of the ruling party. “The SABC is accountable to the South African public, so what is going on at the public broadcaster is of concern to everyone. “Sanef supports the anti-censorship pickets, which are non-partisan and independent,” continued the Sanef statement.

The protesters are expected to march from the SABC to Constitution Hill. On social media, the cause has gained momentum and is also one of the trending topics. Below are some of the tweets: