The South African Broadcast Corporation’s (SABC) ban on broadcasting footage of the destruction of property is a “right step towards addressing the culture of violence that is threatening to erode the moral fibre of our society”. That’s according to the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco)‚ which on Monday hailed last week’s decision by the broadcaster as “responsible journalism and not censorship”. That SABC had said that “continuing to promote” violent service delivery protests “might encourage other communities to do the same”‚ and would therefore no longer show “footage of people burning public institutions”. “Watching sadists torch public institutions‚ hack‚ stone or necklace their victims in broad daylight while taking selfies does not contribute towards building peaceful‚ humane and safe communities or promote patriotism‚” said Sanco’s general secretary Skhumbuzo Mpanza. He maintained “that promoting the culture of violence on public platforms aggravates barbarism”‚ but also warned “that the decision by the broadcaster should not stifle expression of public opinion or silence voices of communities demanding improved service delivery”.“We encourage communities to explore effective peaceful ways that are provided for in the public participation framework to hold government accountable and draw attention to their service delivery needs‚” said Mpanza.“It is responsible journalism and not censorship for the SABC to ensure that its mandate to educate‚ inform and entertain is not abused to further lawlessness that undermines the rule of law‚ ubuntu and our constitutional democracy.”..