SABC: Cosatu, FXI still concerned over 'meddling' claims
NEWSWATCH: Both Cosatu and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) are concerned over reports - naturally denied by the SABC - of political meddling in news coverage, as evidenced most recently by claims that coverage of former president Thabo Mbeki is a no-no, reports IOL. Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Siphiwe Nyanda has dismissed claims that he is to suspend his director-general, Mamodupi Mohlala and called them "false, spurious and malicious" - but he's quickly appointed a new acting replacement for the incumbent - who apparently has booked off "sick", reports Business Day.
For more:
- IOL : Groups decry 'meddling' at SABC... They reckon that political meddling would compromise the "independence" of the public broadcaster, though a great many people reckon the SABC is little more than a government mouthpiece and anything but independent anyway.
- Business Day: No conflict, says Nyanda as official goes off 'sick'... Conflict? What conflict? There's no conflict... But it remains to be seen if this apparently "non-existent conflict" will impact on the operations of the Department of Communications - and projects such as this country's migration to digital broadcasting.