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Slap on the wrist 'not a strong action'

VERBAL WARNING: Snuki Zikalala. 09/03/07. Snuki Zikalala. He is MD of Nes and current affairs at the SA Broadcasting Corp. © Not ours. Tel: (011) 714-5899 Fax: (011) 714-5849 Snuki Zikalala is MD of news and current affairs at the SA Broadcasting Corp. He rejoined the SABC in May 2004, after a stint at the department of labour as head of communications and media. At the SABC he is responsible for the strategic leadership, focus and operational direction of news and current affairs. In a journalism career spanning 25 years, Zikalala has held various posts in print, radio and television. He has overseen many electronic innovations such as news on mobile phones and the Internet. His awards include the SA Medical Association's best medical reporter and government's communicator of the year. Zikalala holds a BA Hons (industrial sociology) from Wits University and an MA and PhD, both in journalism, from Sofia University, Bulgaria
VERBAL WARNING: Snuki Zikalala. 09/03/07. Snuki Zikalala. He is MD of Nes and current affairs at the SA Broadcasting Corp. © Not ours. Tel: (011) 714-5899 Fax: (011) 714-5849 Snuki Zikalala is MD of news and current affairs at the SA Broadcasting Corp. He rejoined the SABC in May 2004, after a stint at the department of labour as head of communications and media. At the SABC he is responsible for the strategic leadership, focus and operational direction of news and current affairs. In a journalism career spanning 25 years, Zikalala has held various posts in print, radio and television. He has overseen many electronic innovations such as news on mobile phones and the Internet. His awards include the SA Medical Association's best medical reporter and government's communicator of the year. Zikalala holds a BA Hons (industrial sociology) from Wits University and an MA and PhD, both in journalism, from Sofia University, Bulgaria

Kingdom Mabuza

Kingdom Mabuza

Political parties aligned to the ANC were dissatisfied with how softly SABC head of news Snuki Zikalala was handled over his blacklisting of political analysts he regarded undesirable.

In the middle of the storm that was raised by the SACP, Young Communist League (YCL) and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), the ANC remained mum on the latest developments.

Zikalala got away with a verbal warning. The SABC board also said that should he authorise blacklisting of commentators again, "strong action would be taken".

Zikalala had ordered staff at SABC not to source comments from certain independent political analysts and political journalists.

The banning of the commentators was apparently triggered by their views, perceived by Zikalala as anti-government and anti-Mbeki.

The YCL said it abhorred and rejected the decision to give Zikalala a verbal warning.

"As the YCL we view his actions as a serious offence and his continued presence as head of news will create a sense of doubt in relation to fair and unbiased reporting by the SABC," spokesman, Castro Ngobese, said.

The SACP said the lack of firm action against Zikalala reaffirmed the party's long-held view that the SABC was increasingly allowed to play a more factionalist role in the movement.

On the other the ANCYL said it welcomed the decision to warn Zikalala.

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