Court grants interdict against SABC censorship
The North Gauteng High Court has granted an interdict against the SABC's ban on broadcasting violent protests.
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) took the matter to court amid the decision to fire seven journalists who have spoken out against the revised editorial policy.
The success of the application has halted the implementation of the SABC's policy pertaining to violent and other protests. The foundation has also stopped the broadcaster from adopting any policy which would be contrary to its mandate pending a judicial review of the policy.
Without submitting any argument, the SABC's legal team informed Judge John Murphy that the public broadcaster concedes to the interdict.
During an adjournment, both counsels debated how editorial independence will be affected at the public broadcaster - in light of the SABC conceding to the merits of the foundation's case.
Both parties agreed that the public broadcaster could exercise its independence, but that it needs to abide by the constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Broadcasting Act.
"Obviously the SABC must have some editorial independence. This is in terms of its own Broadcasting Act, but it cannot censor the news and we have to keep on monitoring what the SABC is doing," HSF Director Francis Antonie said.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said their legal team will now interpret the order.
"Like I have said before, we have never said that we are not going to broadcast violent protests. It is something that was created by people, but let us not get into the merit at this particular stage, because our lawyers will then interpret it further for us."