SABC trying to be impartial?

NEWSWATCH: IOL reports that editorial control of all talk shows that deal with politics and governance have been subordinated to news and current affairs, apparently to "ensure SABC policies on objectivity, accuracy, fairness, impartiality and balance are adhered to". Meanwhile, the Metro FM show on Mangaung has been aired - with all parties present, reports Mail & Guardian. Not all the listeners were totally won over, it seems.

By Rod Baker

12 Dec 2012

For more:

IOL: SABC moves editorial control to news... The national broadcaster apparently has an editorial policy, you'll be glad to know, and it says that when an event of national importance is of a party political nature, "editorial staff are to ensure that the SABC policies on objectivity, accuracy, fairness, impartiality and balance are adhered to".
Given the number of "own goals" recently and the number of accusations from many quarters of political bias on the part of the SABC over many years, it's safe to assume that a great many people will reckon that the above-mentioned policy is honoured more in the breach than in practice.
Mail & Guardian: SABC Mangaung interview aired - with all parties present... The show must go on... The Metro FM interview on Mangaung, which was canned at the last minute by SABC bosses, has been aired, but this time secretary general Gwede Mantashe on hand "to give the ruling party's view on the show" according to the Mail & Guardian report.
More than a few listeners were unhappy that the show had been pulled in the first place, and one suggested acting chief operating officer Hlaudi Moetsoneng "has no clue what he is doing" and is incompetent and asked SABC political editor Abbey Makoe whether he thought listeners are "stupid"?
What do you think? Do you think the SABC powers-that-be reckon we're stupid?

Rod Baker

About Rod Baker

Rod Baker is Content Director at Bizcommunity.com. A journalist since before computers, he worked on a wide range of magazines and, in his youth, rose through the ranks from being a lowly and abused sub-editor, to a high and still abused editor and publisher. He has been editor and publisher of a number of magazines, as well as a newspaper. He has edited many books, and written a number too. Email him at moc.ytinummoczib@dor.