MEDIA STATEMENT

SABC RESPONDS TO
MEDIA STATEMENT BY
SACP

Johannesburg, Tuesday 07 October 2014 The South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC) has noted with concern the media statement released by the
South African Communist Party (SACP), regarding the so-called Black on-air of
their Red October campaign. The SABC rejects with the contempt it deserves the
allegation that the Corporation intentionally did a black out of their story.
In fact many of the SACPs stories are carried on our TV and Radio platforms. It
must be highlighted that this particular story was covered on our radio news bulletins
and current affairs shows.
It must also be noted that the SACP was in contact with the SABC, and we explained
that there was a technical glitch, yet they have still chosen to release the said media
statement. We can only wonder what their motive for this is. Should the SACP have
any issues with the SABC, we urge them to engage the public broadcaster in a
proper and professional manner, before making unnecessary statements which are
devoid of fact and truth to the public.
The SABC as a public service broadcaster will not be influenced or intimidated by
any external stakeholder, which wants to interfere in the editorial independence of
the Corporation. The SACP has no right to dictate how and when a story should be
covered, as this is in direct violation of maintaining the independence of our news
and current affairs.
The SACP must also refrain from stating that the there is no public accountability, as
the SABC is accountable to the public by reporting frequently on its activities to the
Shareholder and Parliament.
We must also point out that the SABC is in a much better position than before in
terms of audience figures and being financially stable under its current leadership. It
is therefore unfair to allege that the SABCs personnel are unsuitable and unskilled.
The SABC has dealt with most of the concerns raised by the Auditor-General (AG),
and this is shown by an improvement in the audit outcomes, thus moving from
having a disclaimer to a qualified audit for the 2013/14 financial year.
ENDS
Issued by: Group Communications
Media Enquiries: Mr. Kaizer Kganyago (SABC Spokesperson)