The defiant Motsoeneng was reacting to the outcome of Independent Communication Authority of SA (Icasa) compelling the broadcaster to reverse its ban on airing the destruction of property during protests.
“No one will tell us what to do. The SABC will approach the High Court or the Constitutional Court to take the Icasa decision up on review. “We are challenging that ruling, we are equal to the task‚” Motsoeneng said.
Icasa ordered the SABC to withdraw its editorial decision‚ giving it five days to comply.
But Motsoeneng said all newsrooms censored news in taking daily publishing decisions.
The fact that no good news was published showed that there was censorship in all news organisations‚ he said.
In May‚ Media Monitoring Africa‚ the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and the Freedom of Expression Institute lodged a complaint with Icasa’s complaints and compliance committee‚ challenging the validity of the SABC’s protests ban.
In the aftermath of the ban‚ a number of senior journalists at the broadcaster are facing disciplinary action for questioning the decision.
The SABC would approach the highest court in the land if necessary, according to Motsoeneng.
He described the reaction to its protests ban as “hullabaloo“.
The SABC board chairperson is also in support of Motsoeneng, who seem to be enjoying public attention and causing a ruction with the ruling party.
As yet, we’re still to hear details on the proposed meeting with the minister of communications.
The question is what will happen should Motsoeneng and his board defy ICASA’s ruling?
Meanwhile, some reporters are living in fear and some believe had it not being for responsibilities, they would resign and join the suspended colleagues in unison.
