SABC weak at applying its ideals — panel
Panelists at an Open Society Foundation for SA colloquium yesterday dissected the conundrum that is the SABC, raising concerns over recent allegations of censorship and blacklisting of analysts, which they argued tainted its image.
The “unauthorised” documentary of President Thabo Mbeki that was pulled and the alleged banning of certain commentators considered critical of the government were said to have placed the SABC in an unfavourable light.
The panel was made up of SABC CEO and editor-in-chief Dali Mpofu, Wits University media studies head Prof Tawana Kupe, Wits journalism professor Anton Harber and Business Day political editor Karima Brown.
Kupe questioned the broad- caster’s structures, wondering if they were conducive to its values. “There has been a long debate as to the degree to which structures in the broadcaster allow independence to help the public,” Kupe said.
Another disconcerting factor was the lack of management stability, with people flowing in and out through a revolving door, he said.
While Harber applauded the public participation process the SABC had undertaken in drawing up its code of editorial practice, he asked why “with all this in place, we have to ask why the broadcaster is always in trouble”?
The newsroom culture was critical in driving the way decisions were made, said Harber. “An impression of the operation (SABC news) that I get is that there is a culture of trepidation and nervousness,” he said.
Mpofu said the SABC was working at changing its culture, and this was already visible through the open debate that radio presenter John Perlman had with communications manager Kaizer Kganyago.
In a dramatic on-air confrontation last month, Perlman told Kganyago he was prevented from interviewing certain people. Mpofu said he was convinced management was starting to break down the secretive culture at the public broadcaster.
Lack of a secure source of funding outside of advertising was identified as an impediment to the SABC.
“On the face of it, the SABC demands so much commercial revenue; no one can compete against it. And because of this power it holds, it can afford to tell advertisers to get off,” Kupe said.
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