Thousands raised for SABC journalists
Nearly R300 000 has been raised overnight for the SABC journalists who were fired this week.
The SABC axed Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay and Jacques Steenkamp on Monday, while Thandeka Gqubule, Busisiwe Ntuli and Lukhanyo Calata were fired yesterday.
The eighth person dismissed was freelance journalist Vuyo Mvoko.
They were fired for challenging editorial policy at the broadcaster.
Following their axing, South African National Editors Forum chairperson Adriaan Basson and some colleagues in the media fraternity launched a web page on Generosity dubbed 'Friends of SABC journalists' where the money can be donated.
Basson said he set an initial target of around R80 000, as the journalists who have been dismissed will not be receiving their full salary at the end of the month.
"We started 'Friends of SABC journalists' yesterday morning. Within the first few hours we already had over R40 000. I had hoped to raise R80 000 so that we can give each of them at least R10 000 in hand for the entire campaign and by last night we had over R200 000...The response by the South African public has been quite amazing. It's not only journalists who has come to the party, but also citizens who understand how important the public broadcaster is. How important media freedom is," he said.
Basson explained how people can continue to help with donations.
"People who would like to support these brave journalists for standing up against censorship at the public broadcaster...it is an open platform - go to www.generosity.com and look for 'Friends of SABC journalists'."