The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has condemned African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson Pule Mabe’s criticism of the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) coverage of the ‘Zuma must go’ campaign.
The group calling themselves concerned members of the ANC alliance in Gauteng announced a national shutdown and called for support for a protest march Monday to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Mabe argued that the group has no mandate to speak on behalf of the ANC, and slammed the SABC on this basis.
SANEF’s Sam Mkokeli says the SABC must be allowed to exercise its editorial independence to cover stories it deems fit.
“The role of the SABC as South Africa’s public broadcaster is critical, particularly during these turbulent and uncertain political times. SANEF believes that frank, robust relations between the ruling party and the SABC are essential. However, what must be jealously guarded is the SABC’s right to choose the stories it wishes to broadcast and its right to report without fear or favour.”
Pule Mabe Intimidates SABC Journalists (Text)
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