Roundup: S. Africans demonstrate against state broadcaster over suspension of journalists

Hundreds of South Africans on Friday picketed outside the headquarters of national broadcaster the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in Johannesburg, calling for the reinstatement of the six suspended journalists and change of editorial policy.

This came after the SABC suspended three journalists for reporting about the looting and destruction of property in Pretoria a week ago during protests over a mayrol candidate for the local government elections, scheduled for August 3. The other three were suspended on Thursday for questioning the editorial policy of the national broadcaster.

The demonstrators called for the unconditional re-instatement of the suspended journalists.

Chairperson of the South African National Editors Forum Mpumelelo Mkhabela said the country's constitution must be defended.

"SABC is important to all of us and belongs to all South Africans. The national broadcaster provides a channel and platform for South Africans to exchange views. I would encourage the society to join and support the journalists; it's not about the media thing but about defending our democracy and our Constitution," he said.

Mkhabela said many people paid with their lives for the democracy which the country enjoys and South Africans should guard against losing their gains.

SABC economics editor Thandeka Gqubule said South Africans should protest against what is happening at the SABC.

"My colleagues and I have decided we can't do this silently. We needed to tell our colleagues in the industry. It is freedom of expression that gave us this vocation, do not allow the sun to go down on us," she said.

Gqubule said the broadcaster have not transformed from the Apartheid era to be independent and balanced. "Now we are at that moment again as we approach a highly-contested election where forces of darkness are trying to bend the public asset, the public broadcaster, to their own ends," she added.

Some members of labour union Solidarity also joined the picket.

Solidarity CEO Dirk Hermann told Xinhua that they will take the matter to the labour court if the SABC continues with the disciplinary action against the employees.

"SABC was supposed to give them (journalists) more than 24 hours' notice to appear for a hearing but that was not done. They also did not allow the employees to have legal representation. This is a sophisticated matter and we are going to make a constitutional argument and say the instruction given to the employees was unlawful," Hermann said.

Two legislators from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) threw their weight behind the protesters.

DA legislator and national spokesperson Phumzile van Damme told Xinhua that the SABC favours the ruling African National Congress in its coverage of news.

Van Damme said, "We expect them to be neutral, professional and tell South Africans the truth. We want a public broadcaster which is professional and journalists working without fear or favour."

The suspended journalists have approached the Constitutional Court and asked for their matter to be heard urgently. Endit