HSF tells SABC to end ‘unconstitutional’ policy or it will sue the broadcaster
by Staff Writer
2016-06-29 12:57:03.0
THE Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has threatened legal action against the SABC should it not "desist from implementing its statements and policy" on the coverage of protests.
At the same time, journalists, media workers and activists are mobilising for pickets outside SABC studios on Friday.
The HSF — in a letter from 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".
READ THIS: SABC denies it is in a crisis as it appoints James Aguma as acting CEO
"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‚" HSF management said in a statement.
They said they were "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 chief operating officer 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".
READ THIS: If staff do not comply with SABC policy, ‘you move before we come to you’
The trio have been suspended by the SABC.
The second was acting group CEO Jimi Matthews’s 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".
On Thursday last week, economics editor Thandeka Gqubule, RSG executive producer Foeta Krige, and senior journalist Suna Venter were suspended for disagreeing with an instruction during a diary conference not to cover the Right2Know campaign’s protest against censorship at the SABC.
On Friday the Independent Communication Authority of SA (Icasa) held a hearing following a formal complaint by lobby groups angry about the SABC’s ban on covering violent protests, and the move that gives Motsoeneng final say over editorial decisions. Icasa is yet to make a determination.
TMG Digital
The SABC office in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
THE Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has threatened legal action against the SABC should it not "desist from implementing its statements and policy" on the coverage of protests.
At the same time, journalists, media workers and activists are mobilising for pickets outside SABC studios on Friday.
The HSF — in a letter from 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".
READ THIS: SABC denies it is in a crisis as it appoints James Aguma as acting CEO
"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‚" HSF management said in a statement.
They said they were "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 chief operating officer 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".
READ THIS: If staff do not comply with SABC policy, ‘you move before we come to you’
The trio have been suspended by the SABC.
The second was acting group CEO Jimi Matthews’s 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".
On Thursday last week, economics editor Thandeka Gqubule, RSG executive producer Foeta Krige, and senior journalist Suna Venter were suspended for disagreeing with an instruction during a diary conference not to cover the Right2Know campaign’s protest against censorship at the SABC.
On Friday the Independent Communication Authority of SA (Icasa) held a hearing following a formal complaint by lobby groups angry about the SABC’s ban on covering violent protests, and the move that gives Motsoeneng final say over editorial decisions. Icasa is yet to make a determination.
TMG Digital
