The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) joined the nation in commemorating Black Wednesday when The World and Weekend World newspapers along with numerous black political organisations were banned in 1977.
The SABC’s Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Marketing, Gugu Ntuli, says Black Wednesday serves as a constant reminder of the vital role that media plays in society and in a democracy.
Black Wednesday. Yes I am in Black. Not Yet Uhuru. #BlackWednesday ✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) October 19, 2021
She says the SABC has been in existence for 85 years, operating under different regimes and has reinvented itself to serve South African citizens with the kind of journalism that is transformational and impactful.
“As the SABC we have made great strides in achieving media freedom following the repressive measures displayed during the tumultuous time of apartheid. We have successfully reclaimed out rightful place as the primary news provider in our country, following our repositioning with the tag line “Independent and Impartial” in 2018.
We have also been an advocate for freedom of expression and media freedom which are fundamental corner stones of our democracy. It is therefore befitting today to acknowledge all SABC journalists, past and present who have worked tirelessly to advance democracy and promote media freedom.”
[Read] The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is joining South Africa’s media industry in commemorating the 44th anniversary of Black Wednesday, a day set aside to reflect on and discuss media freedom https://t.co/O4viX1f3Oa pic.twitter.com/2piSmpOSkR
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 19, 2021
