Seven former SABC executives have written to President Jacob Zuma, communications minister Faith Muthambi and SABC chairman Mbulaheni Maguvhe, criticising events at the public broadcaster.
The seven include former editor-in-chiefs for television news Joe Thloloe and Allister Sparks, former news chief executive Barney Mthombothi, and former deputy CEO Govin Reddy.
They had helped transform the SABC into a “true public broadcaster” following the end of apartheid, to reflect a commitment to openness, fairness and independence, both in its programming and the way it was governed, they wrote.
“We write to express our grave concern at the extent to which the SABC has deviated from the clear principles of good public broadcasting that were laid down at the time of that transformation.”
They criticised the “enforcement of news censorship”, the suspension of journalists as a “gross violation” and the SABC’s general “abandonment” of its mandate to provide an honest reflection of events in society.
“This is a betrayal, not only of the South African public, which the SABC is called upon to serve without fear or favour, but also of many people in civil society, as well as broadcasting specialists from abroad, who worked hard to produce a public broadcaster to rival the best in the world,” the letter read.
“The news is censored. Editorial decisions are dictated from above. The public broadcaster that the SABC had become, with an editorial code that committed the corporation to fair, balanced and impartial journalism, free from outside influences, be they political or commercial, shows clear signs of reverting back into being a state broadcaster.”
They called on the SABC to be a force for good, a well from which all its people could drink, and a reference point for a society in quest of unity.
The letter listed five changes they would like to see at the SABC:
- An end to censorship of certain news items, which violated the principles of freedom of information and freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution;
- The state of fear under which SABC employees were working was not conducive to good journalism or programming and had to stop;
- Those found responsible for the censorship and victimisation of employees should be disciplined and fired;
- The SABC needed to revert to the codes, principles and practices that were adopted at the time of transformation;
- The SABC board should appoint a credible and independent task team to investigate the malaise at the corporation and allow all employees to give evidence without fear of victimisation.
The letter is signed by Brigalia Bam, former deputy chairperson of SABC board; Prof Njabulo Ndebele, former SABC board member and University of Johannesburg chancellor; Joe Thloloe, former editor-in-chief, SABC TV news; Allister Sparks, former board member and editor-in chief, TV news; Govin Reddy, former deputy CEO, SABC; Mathatha Tsedu, former deputy chief executive, SABC News; and Barney Mthombothi, former chief executive, SABC News.