SABC confirms status as Govt’s propaganda machine, not public broadcaster
For a very brief period when South Africa transitioned from Apartheid to Democracy, the national broadcaster was truly worthy of that title. I saw it from close up, having the privilege of serving at the SABC between 1991 and 1994. It was an exciting time. Old rulers had lost their power and the new ones were not yet represented in the building. The news flow was hectic. It is true that we did hold back some material, but only because of its graphic content. As a national broadcaster should, we broadcast footage of the Boipatong massacre, the bakkie invasion of Bophuthatswana, the deadly ongoing war between the "Comrades" and "Impis", and much else that wouldn't get onto the airwaves under the SABC's latest edict. Politicians are in the business of acquiring and retaining power. News organisations are in the business of reflecting reality to keep those with vested interests in check. When such institutions supplicate to the whim of those in Government, they become no better than propaganda machines. And agents in a process where power corrupts, absolute power corrupting absolutely. – Alec Hogg
By Lizeka Tandwa
SA editors slam SABC decision to ban coverage of violent protests
Minister welcomes SABC's broadcast ban on violent protests
Lizeka Tandwa