'Don't press mute' - Zoutnet

The reporters of the Limpopo Mirror and Zoutpansberger pledged solidarity with journalists who were suspended the past week when they insisted on their right to report news in a free and fair manner.

At least three senior SABC journalists were suspended when they differed with senior management about the manner in which news should be reported. The Right2Know organisation campaigned in front of the SABC’s offices last week, complaining about the manner in which the SABC forces journalists to first sensor news. The SABC management previously barred their reporters from showing images of violent protest action.

The past week the public broadcaster’s acting chief executive officer, Jimi Matthews, resigned, stating that he can no longer be quiet and thereby condoning the unacceptable actions of senior management. His resignation sparked more protest action and industry bodies such as the SA National Editor’s Forum criticised the manner in which the SABC has dealt with the matter.

The SABC’s actions also impact negatively on thousands of journalists countrywide who are fearful that such behaviour is being condoned by people in leadership positions. “What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist,” said Anton van Zyl, manager of the Zoutnet group of newspapers. He was quoting the well-known author, Salman Rushdie.

“The powers-that-be must accept that the picture being reflected will not always be as beautiful as they would like to see it,” says Anton. According to him the SABC should trust their senior journalists and stop interfering with the news reporting style.

News - Date: 29 June 2016

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