SABC accepts, welcomes FXI judgment

29 Jun 2009

In a statement issued today, Monday, 29 June 2009, the SABC says it accepts and welcomes the judgment in its favour by the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) of ICASA. The judgment follows the lodging of several complaints by the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) with the CCC concerning alleged contraventions by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (“SABC”) of the Broadcasting Act 4 of 1999, as amended.

The SABC says in its statement that according to the judgment, the complaint by the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is not upheld by the CCC and the matter is, accordingly not referred to the Council of ICASA for the consideration of a sanction.

The judgment follows on a complaint FXI lodged with ICASA during February 2007 accusing the public broadcaster and the former SABC news group executive, Dr Snuki Zikalala of violating its own licences, the Broadcasting Act, the Icasa code of conduct for broadcasters and the SABC's own editorial code.

FXI emphasizsd that the SABC blacklisted political commentators based on a political agenda.

Download the full judgment.