SABC must review violent protest decision: ICASA
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has recommended that the SABC withdraw its decision to ban the coverage of violent protests.
A number of organisations had laid complaints over the public broadcaster’s decision, saying the self-censorship is unconstitutional.
A number of SABC senior journalists who have spoken out about the changes in the editorial policy are facing disciplinary action. Three of them have been suspended.
The chairperson of the SABC board has seven days to confirm in writing whether they have accept the decision.
ICASA spokesperson, Paseka Maleka says the public broadcaster has a number of obligations in terms of the licensing conditions.
"Basically what the Broadcasting Act says, which is also in the licence conditions, it imposes an obligation on the SABC to provide coverage of news, significant news and public affairs programming which meets the highest standard of journalism as well as fair and unbiased coverage, impartiality, balance and independence from other interests," he said.
(File photo)