THE SABC yesterday denied as "false" reports that it has banned television and radio coverage of former president Thabo Mbeki.
THE SABC yesterday denied as "false" reports that it has banned television and radio coverage of former president Thabo Mbeki.
"The SABC rejects with the contempt it deserves the article 'SABC news boss Molefe bans Mbeki', which appeared in yesterday's edition of the Sunday Times," spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said. "The article... is totally false, malicious and without base."
The report said ANC headquarters allegedly instructed SABC head of news Phil Molefe not to broadcast any interviews with Mbeki or any items about him.
Molefe reportedly called a meeting with senior news executives, where he told them that Mbeki's appearance on SABC television undermined President Jacob Zuma.
". there was never any instruction given to anybody or any intention to ban former president Mbeki," Kganyago said.
The SABC was guided by its editorial policy and would never take instructions from anyone or any organisation, he said.
Earlier, DA chief whip and MP Ian Davidson said Molefe should explain to Parliament why there was a ban on coverage of Mbeki.
"It is simply unconscionable that any political party would be dictating editorial policy to the SABC."
Kganyago said the SABC reserved the right to pursue any legal avenue to deal with "these malicious rumours, intended on undermining our integrity". - Sapa
SABC denies any ban of Mbeki
THE SABC yesterday denied as "false" reports that it has banned television and radio coverage of former president Thabo Mbeki.
THE SABC yesterday denied as "false" reports that it has banned television and radio coverage of former president Thabo Mbeki.
"The SABC rejects with the contempt it deserves the article 'SABC news boss Molefe bans Mbeki', which appeared in yesterday's edition of the Sunday Times," spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said. "The article... is totally false, malicious and without base."
The report said ANC headquarters allegedly instructed SABC head of news Phil Molefe not to broadcast any interviews with Mbeki or any items about him.
Molefe reportedly called a meeting with senior news executives, where he told them that Mbeki's appearance on SABC television undermined President Jacob Zuma.
". there was never any instruction given to anybody or any intention to ban former president Mbeki," Kganyago said.
The SABC was guided by its editorial policy and would never take instructions from anyone or any organisation, he said.
Earlier, DA chief whip and MP Ian Davidson said Molefe should explain to Parliament why there was a ban on coverage of Mbeki.
"It is simply unconscionable that any political party would be dictating editorial policy to the SABC."
Kganyago said the SABC reserved the right to pursue any legal avenue to deal with "these malicious rumours, intended on undermining our integrity". - Sapa