Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) says the watchdog organisation is concerned over the SABC's sudden decision to centralise the public broadcaster's control over all talk shows which might include any political element for oversight under the SABC's news and current affairs division and is calling on the SABC to revoke the decision immediately.
The radical, sudden move comes after the SABC admitted to pervasive blacklisting and banning practices, banned three journalists from a talk show discussion two weeks ago because a member of the ANC political party wasn't present, banned a TV advert critical of ANC president Jacob Zuma, and as the SABC is loading the programming schedules of all of its 18 radio stations and 3 TV stations with a massive amount of blanketed coverage of the ANC's National Conference.
"The decision is a significant shift from existing practice in relation to talk shows and programmes and is likely to have far-reaching implications for the operations of the SABC stations and news division," says MMS in a statement.
"The classification used is so broad that it is likely to affect almost every talk show that discusses any issue deemed as political or governance related. it would appear that any debate and discussion on issues such as service delivery, policy brutality, government corruption, poverty, inequality, racism, teenage pregnancy, the public health system, social grants, accountability, e-tolling, transformation in sport, media and education may not see the light of day as they have clear political dimensions, or they would have to be 'directed' and be 'controlled' by the SABC's news and current affairs division before taking place," says the MMA.
"What will happen if callers wish to talk about political or governance-related issues? Presenters and producers and show hosts may be tempted to shut down discussions rather than open them up if they fear violating the new process," says the MMA.
The MMA "calls on the SABC to revoke the decision untilsuch time as a full, transparent and public editorial policy review has taken place," says the organisation.
"Should the SABC not reverse the decision, MMA will do all it can to keep a close eye on developments that may arise as a result of the decision and we would like to assure members of the public, journalists, producers and news staffers that civil society will assist in any way we can to help prevent or act on instances of political interference."
