The five-year battle between the Freedom of Expression Institute and the SABC over the corporation's alleged blacklisting of commentators was settled yesterday.
The dispute was to be heard by the Independent Communications Authority of SA's complaints compliance committee yesterday morning.
But when the teams from the institute and the SABC arrived at the hearing they announced that the institute had withdrawn its complaint.
In 2007, the NGO complained to Icasa when allegations were made of a blacklist implemented by then SABC group executive for news Snuki Zikalala.
The blacklist was said to be of political commentators Zikalala had ordered his staff not to use because of their views on former president Thabo Mbeki's leadership.
According to newspaper the Sowetan, the commentators included Aubrey Matshiqi, William Gumede, Karima Brown, Vukani Mde and Moeletsi Mbeki.
An inquiry found that Zikalala had issued the instructions.
The institute took the matter to the high court and the dispute was referred to Icasa.
The SABC admitted "the conduct of its employees and former employees named in the [institute's] complaint", including Zikalala, was "not in line" with its editorial policies and c ode of c onduct . It adopted "guidelines on the use of commentators, experts and analysts by SABC News".
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