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Muthambi under fire as she defends the SABC

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 Faith Muthambi
Faith Muthambi
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Communications Minister Faith Muthambi has come under harsh criticism for her account of the state of affairs at the national broadcaster.

Muthambi and a delegation from the SABC, including controversial chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, appeared before Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications this morning.

Member of Parliament for the DA, Phumzile van Damme, lashed out at Muthambi, saying the board had failed to conduct oversight over the SABC, and all of them should be fired.

Muthambi said the SABC operated within broadcasting legislation and the Constitution when it decided not to broadcast violent protests.

She cited a number of rules and sections in the Broadcasting Act and Constitution, which allow the public broadcaster to reach a balance between freedom of expression and the incitement of violence.

“The corporation is encouraged to ensure the development of freedom of expression by providing a wide range of programming that reflects opinions, ideas and values,” Muthambi said.

“But in line with the public broadcasting mandate the corporation also has a role to ensure it contributes towards nation building and cohesion.”

She added that the decision not to air violent protests was in line with the Constitution, which places limits on freedom of expression.

“Freedom of expression doesn’t extend to the propaganda of war,” Muthambi said.

Muthambi also denied that the SABC unilaterally changed its editorial policy without engaging in public participation or notifying the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. According to her, the SABC made extensive provision for public comments on the broadcaster’s draft editorial policies.

“We embarked on a process of public consultation in 2013 and stakeholder meetings were held with more than 30 organisations. Almost 2 000 people attended the hearings and we received 216 submissions on the draft policies.”

In reply, Van Damme said Muthambi was lying.

Muthambi said no one had congratulated the SABC for great coverage of elections, to which Van Damme expressed shock that the SABC expected to be congratulated.

“We are not going to celebrate you for doing the bare minimum.”

But ANC MPs rallied about her, with Lerumo Kalako congratulating the SABC on its coverage of the recent elections.

“Whether you like it or not, they did a great job!”

– Fin24

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