'Stop advertising on SABC'

05 July 2016 - 08:53 By KATHARINE CHILD

Criticism of SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng's censorship of news coverage and his running of the public broadcaster as "his own private spaza shop" is getting louder.Activists met yesterday to plan protests from tomorrow to Friday and called on advertisers to boycott the SABC to hit it "where it hurts"."Hlaudi will lose in the court of public opinion," said Right2Know member Dale McKinley."We should be shaming companies that choose to advertise on the SABC," said Julie Reid, another member of Right2Know. "That is where it will hit the SABC hardest." The two were speaking at a meeting of activists convened to discuss plans to picket outside the public broadcaster's building in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Rights groups also intend protesting at the ANC offices in Johannesburg.Former SABC news editors and board members yesterday wrote to President Jacob Zuma, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi and Mbulaheni Maguvhe, chairman of the SABC board, complaining that "news is censored and editorial decisions are dictated". "We express grave concern that the SABC has deviated from the clear principles of good broadcasting that were laid down during transformation."The signatories included Brigalia Bam, former deputy chairman of the SABC board; Allister Sparks, former board member and editor-in-chief of TV news; and former deputy CEO of the SABC Govin Reddy."The state of fear under which SABC employees are working is not conducive to good journalism or programming," they said.At least seven journalists have been suspended for questioning decisions that political protests not be covered.Journalist Lukhanyo Calata was suspended yesterday after writing: "The decisions taken recently by the SABC cannot be described in any other way but as being a curbing of media freedom. A freedom to report ethically, truthfully and without bias." Right2Know, the Save Our SABC Coalition, the Media Workers' Association of SA and other activists plan to continue protesting against Motsoeneng, whom they called a "petty tyrant".They intend picketing the Independent Communications Authority of SA on Thursday, when it is expected to deliver its ruling on whether the SABC's ban on footage of property destruction in service delivery protests is lawful.They also plan to protest at the ANC national head office, Luthuli House, on Friday, accusing ANC leaders of propping up Motsoeneng...

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