SAARF: SABC, e.tv media statement contains 'contains serious inaccuracies'

In its statement, SAARF says it "has been the custodian of all industry audience measurement for 39 years and the measurement of television and radio has been an important part of its activities. SAARF wants to state unequivocally that it was not the SAARF Board that refused the NAB proposal for greater representation of broadcast media on the SAARF Board. SAARF members asked the NAB for extra time (two weeks) to consult their constituencies and to evaluate other options before meeting again with the NAB to try and resolve the issue amicably and to get a consensus decision from all SAARF stakeholders. The NAB refused and insisted that the matter be put to the vote knowing well that they could not get the 75% majority required for the approval of a special resolution to change the SAARF Memorandum of Incorporation. At no stage did the other SAARF stakeholders indicate that they were not prepared to consider the request with an open mind - in fact they stated the opposite more than once during the discussions.

"The news release disseminated by the SABC and e.tv [yesterday] contains serious inaccuracies and SAARF will respond in full to the allegations and inaccurate interpretation of the audit findings."

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION SOC ("SABC") AND e.tv (PTY) LIMITED ("e.tv") REGARDING THE INTENDED DECISION BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS ("NAB") TO RESIGN FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN AUDIENCE RESEARCH FOUNDATION ("SAARF")