The African Christian Democratic Party on Thursday criticised the SABC for its intention to broadcast the African National Congress’s election manifesto, and the National Action urged President Thabo Mbeki on Friday to ”personally see to it” that the SABC does not broadcast the speech he is to make this weekend at the launch of the manifesto.
”We find that to be very unacceptable and unfair as well,” said ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe about the planned broadcast.
He said he objected to the broadcast on the grounds that the main speaker, President Thabo Mbeki, would be representing the ANC on an ANC platform. He asked if other political parties would get similar coverage in the run-up to the elections to be held later this year.
”The SABC must treat all political parties equally, not become an ANC mouthpiece and must not be used for ANC purposes.
”Will other political party leaders be given such a rare opportunity? Who will be paying for an ANC election manifesto live broadcast?” he asked.
”Alternatively, the president is requested to ask that all other parties are given the same treatment,” the National Action’s co-leader, Cassie Aucamp, said in a statement.
Paul Setsetse, the SABC’s chief spokesperson, said the broadcast should not be seen as a ”party-political advertisement”.
”As the SABC we are providing live coverage of Thabo Mbeki’s speech as head of state and not as leader of the ANC. It is an opportunity to cover the president speaking live,” he said.
”Furthermore we are celebrating 10 years of democracy and the SABC we would like to live up to that.”
Setsetse said other political parties would be given an opportunity to respond to the president’s speech if they so wished.
Aucamp rejected Setsetse’s contention that Mbeki’s speech would be broadcast in his capacity as head of state.
This indicates, Aucamp said, an inability to distinguish between the ruling party and the government, and is not a good sign for democracy.
Regarding Setsetse’s contention that this was an opportunity to cover the president speaking live, Aucamp said a more appropriate opportunity would be the opening of Parliament in less than a month.
”President Mbeki must be at the forefront of ensuring that elections in South Africa are fair and in creating a level playing field within a democratic culture,” he said.
”One-sided coverage of an ANC election rally will sent out a signal that the governing party abuses its position.”
Aucamp also accused the ruling party of using the country’s 10-year democracy celebrations to ”subtly and sometimes blatantly” blur the lines between the achievements of the country and those of the ANC. — Sapa