Faith Muthambi accuses media of 'feeding propaganda' to public

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She said the SABC informed and educated people compared to mainstream media which was "feeding propaganda" to the public.

She brushed off comments that she had been quiet in the wake of the controversy at the public broadcaster.

"People have been discussing this debate of censorship. There has been a hype and the people are saying where is the minister of communication, why is she so quiet. (It's) not that we don't know what to say. But censorship, I don't know what you mean by censorship," she said.

She accused mainstream media of writing negatively about the government, describing this as "the propaganda we (are) feeding our people".

"We cannot allow a situation where the public is misled."

Muthambi also praised the SABC for its decision "not to advertise print media".

In June the SABC banned the reading of newspaper headlines or discussing front pages on air.

Chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng rationalised this by saying the SABC would not give free publicity to newspapers.

"I like the decision taken by the SABC, it's one of the state-owned company's (decisions) I am proud of," she said at a discussion on the importance of community media.

There has been a public outcry over certain editorial decisions taken at the public broadcaster. This includes the ban of footage of violent protests where public property is being burnt.

Source: Business Day