SABC names political coverage liaison/complaints officer

Majova is managing editor of Television News and has extensive experience in a broadcast news environment. He joined SABC News in 1984, moving up the ranks - senior journalist, specialist journalist and assignment editor for TV News.

The appointment is part of the SABC's campaign to ensure that its election coverage is equitable and fair. It has already spent two days in discussion with 15 of South Africa's major political parties to brief them on how it intends covering the elections. Majova will be the link between the news desk/election desk and political parties.

Commented Majova, “I look forward to help making the election coverage fall strictly in line with ICASA rules and SABC editorial policy, making certain that political parties get equitable and fair treatment. It is imperative that complaints are lodged with this office directly and not with the individual programmes. I look forward to fruitful co-operation with the political parties.”

He has undertaken, where possible, to respond in writing within 72 hours from receipt of a complaint.

While Majova's position will be a link between SABC News and political parties, it does not replace the normal channels available to audiences to lodge complaints about alleged infringements of regulatory prescriptions, such as the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and ICASA for programme content and the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa for advertising.

Majova's contact details and method of operation have already been forwarded to the political parties.

Meanwhile, the South African National Editors Forum earlier this week stressed that SA journalists must be impartial during the forthcoming elections, reports IOL.

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