Statement by FS Alliance on the SABC 16 - 11 - 06

STATEMENT BY FS ALLIANCE ON THE SABC REFUSAL TO MAKE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER LESEDI FM ACCESABLE TO FS PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS

16 NOVEMBER 2006

We are disturbed and worried that it appears the SABC as the public broadcaster is continuing to undermine and blacklist certain people from accessing the services of this public institution. The Free State Extended Alliance Meeting that met on the 13 November 2006 issued a statement to SAPA including the SABC Lesedi FM raising concerns in the manner the institution was handling the matter that affected one of its Executive Current Affairs Producers of Lesedi FM.

Subsequent to our statement SACP Provincial secretary was to be interviewed by Lesedi FM and clarify our statement in Lesedi FM. All necessary arrangements were made in this regard by Lesedi FM in the Free State. This interview was stopped at the eleventh hour by some one in authority under the pretext that the institution was still to formulate its response. It must be noted that up to today the 16 November 2006 no response has been made which confirms our suspicion that stopping the interview on the 13 November was a strategy to blacklist the person that was to clarify position taken by the meeting of the 13 November 2006.

Following this incident and our statement issued on the 13th November 2006, we believe that it is so important to caution the SABC as an institution accountable to the public that Democracy in our country should mean total transformation for the benefit of the entire society. It is veritable that part of the working class struggle is to engage in all struggles that seeks to transform public institutions which in this regard the SABC will be included.

The deafening silence by the management of the institution to the Alliance statement issued earlier this week attest to the fact and attitude of the SABC. It is our believe that this democracy should not benefit few individuals who happen to be ensconced in positions of power to discriminate, victimize and decapitate people who serves the interests of the poor people. This prevailing situation in the SABC is part of the bigger problem that seeks to divert our transformational agenda. We believe that the only way out to deal with the challenges facing our country as a whole is to engage in remorseless ground mobilization of the mass of our people.

History has taught us that this institution has a tendency of just ignoring issues that are raised by progressive organizations. We have no other alternative but to embark on the Programme of Action targeting the SABC so that what is happening should be known by our people. We also intend pursuing national support on our Programme of Action.

This statement issued by

Contacts

SACP = Phel Parkies at 0825766331

COSATU = Sam Mashinini at 0825636954

ANCYL = Thabo Moeketsi at 0836450270

SASCO = Elmund Raboshakga at 0724623298,

SANCO = Patrick Qibi at 0729139715