The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has ordered the South African Broadcasting Corporation to withdraw its decision not to broadcast violent protest footage.<\/p>\n
This followed a complaint by the Media Monitoring Project Benefit Trust, Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, and Freedom of Expression.<\/p>\n
ICASA further ordered the chairperson of the SABC board to confirm within 7 days that the decision has been reversed.<\/p>\n
The complaint was related to a media statement released by the SABC that it will no longer broadcast footage of the destruction of public property during protests.<\/p>\n
In May, the SABC said<\/strong><\/a> it will no longer show violent protests on any of its channels in a bid to \u201ceducate the population\u201d, and send a message that violent action will not get the attention it seeks.<\/p>\n SABC COO\u00a0Hlaudi Motsoeneng called it a \u201cbold move\u201d, and said it was in line with the broadcaster\u2019s mandate of educating the nation.<\/p>\n Motsoeneng said the broadcaster will show that violent protests are not necessary, adding\u00a0that \u201cas a responsible public institution, we will not assist these individuals to push their agenda that seeks media attention\u201d.<\/p>\n The SABC did not detail what constitutes \u201cviolent\u201d protests, but said it will not show footage of public property being destroyed.<\/p>\n The broadcaster said it upheld citizens\u2019 right to protest, but that the decision not to air the destruction of state property would encourage citizens to protest peacefully.<\/p>\n Communications Minister welcomes SABC not showing violent protests<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on the SABC<\/h3>\n