SABC Responds to Censorship Claims

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has fired back at claims made by journalist Jeffrey Mothuloe in a recent Sowetan article. Mothuloe criticized 702, a radio station, for censoring the views of listeners, suggesting that such behavior is reminiscent of the SABC’s past actions.

In his piece, Mothuloe stated, “The producer on 702 did not act with integrity by censoring the views of a listener, which are different from those of the presenter. This conduct is normally associated with SABC and not an independent station like 702.” The SABC responded firmly, calling this statement «deplorable» and untrue.

The SABC argued that over the years, it has made significant efforts to create programs that invite public interaction and allow citizens to express their opinions freely. The broadcasting corporation emphasized that suppressing listener views is not in line with its core principles.

The SABC also pointed out that it is bound by various laws, including the Broadcasting Act and the Editorial Code, which require it to promote a variety of perspectives. These regulations mandate the SABC to provide a range of programming that reflects the diversity of South African society.

<p"Furthermore, the SABC highlighted that its powers and responsibilities are clearly outlined in its charter. This includes a commitment to offer a diverse array of news, information, and analysis that serves the national and public interest.

In response to the ongoing dialogue about its programming, the SABC appreciates public feedback but stresses the importance of providing context and factual accuracy in such discussions.