/ 15 November 2006

SABC ‘moving towards censorship’

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) will lead a march to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) offices on Thursday to demand that the broadcaster be transparent and accountable, the FXI said.

It said in a statement on Wednesday that the working-class and poor communities would hand over a memorandum of grievances to highlight the frustration of poor communities with the SABC.

”The current struggles and campaigns for social services that are waged by the working class and the poor have received little or no coverage from the broadcaster.”

The SABC was supposed to report in a manner that was fair, balanced and free from prejudice, ”but it seems to have become a fully fledged mouthpiece of government”.

The institute also demanded answers on the ”controversial” decision to halt the screening of a documentary on President Thabo Mbeki.

It said the SABC was moving towards censorship.

”The blacklisting of some political analysts and attempt to force the Mail and Guardian newspaper not to publish the findings of an inquiry into the matters are a clearly indication that the broadcaster is moving towards censorship.”

The marchers will gather at the Sable Centre in Braamfontein at 9am and the march will start an hour later.

”The protesters will move down Enoch Sontonga Road to the SABC Radio Park where group chief executive Dali Mpofu will accept the memorandum,” the FXI said. — Sapa