SABC in firing line over new ruling

THE SABC has been accused of tyranny in a Facebook post claiming that the state broadcaster told all its presenters not to post political commentary on social media platforms.

The broadcaster also allegedly threatened to dismiss any employee who did not follow this instruction.

The SABC recently came under fire for announcing that it would not broadcast visuals of property being destroyed as part of service delivery protests – which was slammed as censorship.

In a strongly worded post, Independent News and Media executive editor Karima Brown wrote on Saturday: “The SABC called all its presenters and told them ... they are barred from posting any political commentary on either [their] Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages, or even wearing any political regalia.

“They say doing so is a fireable offence.”

Brown said the presenters were also barred from talking about politics or interviewing party officials, with those functions “left strictly for the newsroom”.

“They can’t even do profile interviews on any political party representatives,” Brown said.

“How can this be right? How can the ANC support this?

“How is this constitutional? How is this deepening democracy?

“This is foul and smells of tyranny. We must resist this.”

The post had been shared nearly 300 times, and attracted 40 comments largely critical of the SABC’s alleged stance.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago denied such an order had been given.

“That is not true. We cannot regulate what they post,” he said.

“But if they post something that puts the organisation into disrepute, we will deal with that.”