More than 30 media commentators on Tuesday handed a petition to the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) protesting their alleged ”blacklisting” at the public broadcaster, the South African Litigation Centre (Salc) said.
The petition called for a ”clear refutation of any erosion of free speech at the public broadcaster”, a Salc media release read.
”The recent developments at the SABC suggest that South Africa’s public broadcaster is not committed to the value of freedom of expression in the way it should be, compromising both a core constitutional right and its own charter,” said Salc director Nicole Fritz.
”The petition registers protest at these developments, but as an initiative of many individuals, also recognises that constraints on the speech of some individuals impacts on the freedom of expression of all of us.”
Those who have signed the petition include: Tawana Kupe, head of the School of Literature, Languages and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand; Siphokazi Mthathi, general secretary of the Treatment Action Campaign; and Adam Habib, executive director of the Human Sciences Research Council, in his personal capacity.
The SABC’s chief executive, Dali Mpofu received the petition.
In the petition the commentators expressed concern over allegations that ”certain commentators and analysts have been blocked from appearing on SABC … for expressing views critical of government”.
”The suggestion that the SABC will only interview people who hold a particular view is an abrogation of their duties and obligations as a public-service broadcaster and it is a serious infringement of freedom of expression,” the petition read.
”Furthermore, it taints us all, for it suggests that if we are quoted by the SABC, it must be because we have expressed sentiments [that] are politically acceptable to those who control SABC news and current affairs.”
In the petition they asked that the public broadcaster dispel this notion.
”They need to state clearly that any such policy is unacceptable and contrary to the organisation’s editorial charter.”
The signatories also called for an independent enquiry into these allegations and that such a commission’s report and recommendations be issued publicly.
The SABC was not immediately available for comment. — Sapa