The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has threatened legal action against the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) should it not “desist from implementing its statements and policy” regarding the coverage of protests.
The HSF – in a letter from the Webber Wentzel law firm — gave the broadcaster until 4pm on Thursday to give it a “written undertaking that it desist from these actions‚ failing which‚ the HSF may be forced to exercise its rights in law without delay”.
“We have today written to the board and the chief operating officer stating our view that a list of eight actions by the SABC would be unconstitutional and unlawful‚” a statement from the HSF said.
It said it was “particularly appalled at two communications within the SABC‚ both of which are in the public realm”.
The first‚ the HSF said “is the memorandum from three senior employees to COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng‚ which contains the following passage:
“…we feel aggrieved that the image of our institution and our journalistic integrity continues to be compromised by unconstitutional pronouncements that erode the credibility of the SABC and the journalistic integrity of all of us who work for it”.
The trio have been suspended by the SABC.
The second was acting group chief executive officer Jimi Matthews’ letter of resignation:
“…the prevailing corrosive atmosphere has impacted negatively on my moral judgement and has made me complicit in many decisions which I am not proud of…What is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be part of it”.
The HSF said “it regards the integrity of the SABC as essential at all times‚ and particularly in the lead up to elections”. – TMG Digital
SABC given legal ultimatum to desist from implementing protest coverage ban policy
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has threatened legal action against the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) should it not “desist from implementing its statements and policy” regarding the coverage of protests.
The HSF – in a letter from the Webber Wentzel law firm — gave the broadcaster until 4pm on Thursday to give it a “written undertaking that it desist from these actions‚ failing which‚ the HSF may be forced to exercise its rights in law without delay”.
“We have today written to the board and the chief operating officer stating our view that a list of eight actions by the SABC would be unconstitutional and unlawful‚” a statement from the HSF said.
It said it was “particularly appalled at two communications within the SABC‚ both of which are in the public realm”.
The first‚ the HSF said “is the memorandum from three senior employees to COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng‚ which contains the following passage:
“…we feel aggrieved that the image of our institution and our journalistic integrity continues to be compromised by unconstitutional pronouncements that erode the credibility of the SABC and the journalistic integrity of all of us who work for it”.
The trio have been suspended by the SABC.
The second was acting group chief executive officer Jimi Matthews’ letter of resignation:
“…the prevailing corrosive atmosphere has impacted negatively on my moral judgement and has made me complicit in many decisions which I am not proud of…What is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be part of it”.
The HSF said “it regards the integrity of the SABC as essential at all times‚ and particularly in the lead up to elections”. – TMG Digital
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