Is the SABC terminally ill?

While academics, ordinary citizens, NGOs, labour federation and independent producers were looking at finding long lasting solutions to cure the bed-ridden SABC, the government brings along what it thinks is a magic potion to all problems: the 'flawed' Public Broadcasting Service Bill.

Contradicting 1994 White Paper Policy on Broadcasting

Kate Skinner, spokesperson for SOS Support Public Broadcasting, said it is unfortunate that the country has not gone back to the 1994 White Paper Policy on Broadcasting to check what is relevant and what is not, before bringing in the new legislation, which at some points seeks to contradict the policy.

Skinner was speaking last night at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, where an open house debate took place to find the SABC's long-lasting solutions.

"We could have done something more powerful, in line of aligning broadcasting with the goals of the Constitution," she lamented.

Power to communications minister

It is understood that the PBS Bill will give wide-ranging powers to the communications minister over the SABC - something analysts believe will worsen the SABC's misery.

Some observers believe the storm could be partially over if the ruling ANC stopped remote-controlling the SABC, such as appointing a leadership that is loyal to the party, thus turning the organisation into its propaganda
machine.

"The independence of the SABC is vital," Feizel Mamdoo, South African Screen Federation (SASFED) co-chair said.
He said when board members are appointed, they must act collectively regardless of the interests of the groups they belong to, and work only for the advancement of the SABC.

"The hugely commercialised and problematic public broadcaster has failed generations of SA citizens. Maybe there is a need of some reform in the way the board is appointed to avoid the kind of problems we are having now."

Open house workshop

Phumelele Nzimande, of the SABC, suggested that open house workshops should take place on a regular basis to try to tackle the corporation's deep-rooted problems.

Many delegates agreed that SA society needs to take a firm stand against censorship, which the SABC suffered under the Mbeki administration and which has now resurfaced during the Zuma era.

Furthermore, COSATU spokesperson Patrick Craven said it was unusual for a public broadcaster to rely too much on advertising - a situation he said led to conflict of interests.

"From over-commercialised to being hijacked by political factions, board members resignation and inadequate coverage of labour issues compared to business, the SABC needs help to turn it into the real voice of the people," he said.

Newspapers, only source for public

SABC chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane admitted that he was against the suspension of CEO Solly Mokoetle, saying it was too early to suspend people without being given a chance to prove themselves.

"Because I did not sign the petition, I was told I was not to be trusted to sign the suspension letter, which was then signed by my deputy."

Lastly, newspapers - fed by underground sources - have become the only platform members of the public get information of the SABC crisis due to its leadership's failure to communicate properly.