OPINION. If you think January has so far been bad for the SABC, wait for the next 11 months of 2011.

As a print journalist who deal in facts, who've covered broadcasting, specifically television, for over a decade when I did a prospective analysis at the beginning of December on the SABC for 2011 I wasn't being deliberately negative. Now, not even one month into 2011 its evident that it will indeed be a horrible year for the South African public broadcaster just as I've ''predicted''.

With the South Gauteng Court that ruled yesterday evening that the SABC indeed did manipulate its news and distorted news coverage, can the SABC's reputation - already in tatters - sink any lower?

Where are we? There is a lack of corporate control and corporate management at the SABC. Lack of vision. Lack of a full SABC board. Lack of an accountable and responsive chairperson. There is a lack of a group CEO since the previous one was suspended, then left this month after he agreed to resign if he gets a payout. The SABC will be out of money by September and again go begging to the government. There is a general lack of trust that the SABC can do anything right if left on its own.

Daily, there is a barrage of bad news about the SABC. The public broadcaster has become a laughing stock, its credibility tainted, its programming weak, its debt big, and its reputation sadly in tatters. And its not even February yet.