ICASA says the SABC is violating its license conditions. If the SABC does not comply with the recommendations and findings of ICASA, their license can be revoked.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has ruled that the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) resolution to ban coverage of protest action must be withdrawn immediately and it has been given seven days to comply with the binding ruling. Failure to comply would lead to the revoking of the SABC’s broadcast licence. This follows actions taken by civil society, the public and politicians challenging the public broadcaster’s decision over past two weeks.
Advocacy organisation, amandla.mobi collected 4000 signatures which were handed over to (ICASA) after launching a campaign titled “stop SABC censorship.” The campaign now has over 7600 signatures. See more here.
“This is huge affirmation for people’s power, our partners Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), SOS Coalition and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) were able to stand on the shoulders of 7,649 members of the amandla.mobi community who refused to have their news censored,” says amandla.mobi Executive Director, Koketso Moeti.
ICASA says the SABC is violating its license conditions. If the SABC does not comply with the recommendations and findings of ICASA, their license can be revoked.
“Of about 12 million households in the country, the majority which are predominantly Black households, are dependent on the SABC as their only source of news. The ICASA ruling affirms our right to know what is going on in their communities, particularly as we approach local government elections,” she added.
“While this is a huge victory, it is important that it doesn’t end here and that it extends beyond the SABC. The right to know is a fundamental right, but it cannot be adequately furthered outside of constant critical analysis of what it is and who wants us to know,” says Moeti.
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For more information and interviews, contact:
Koketso Moeti
082 583 5869
