The Star reports that throngs of media workers were expected to picket outside the SABC offices in Joburg and Cape Town on Friday morning. This will be in solidarity with journalists suspended for standing up against a censorship policy that has been likened to apartheid-era tendencies.
Special Assignment executive producer Busisiwe Ntuli, SAfm current affairs executive producer Krivani Pillay and senior investigative journalist Jacques Steenkamp were on Thursday charged with illegal conduct after they raised concerns about censorship in a letter to chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Their sanction followed the suspension of another three editorial staff, namely economics editor Thandeka Gqubule, Radio Sonder Grense executive editor Foeta Krige and senior journalist Suna Venter, who were suspended after defying Motsoeneng’s orders not to cover a recent anti-censorship protest outside the SABC’s headquarters.
The journalists, including parliamentary reporter Lukhanyo Calata, who publicly rebuked Motsoeneng’s leadership, were expected to appear before the disciplinary hearing on Friday.
- Read this report by Luyolo Mkentane in full at The Star
- See too, Journalists plan picket against SABC, at Cape Argus
- And also, Joernaliste betoog by SAUK; Monitor speel 'Sit dit af', at Netwerk24 (limited access)
- As well as, Three more SABC journalists charged, say reports, at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page