Motsoeneng defends decision to ban visuals of violent protest
Former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng has defended his decision to ban visuals of violent service delivery protests from being shown on the public broadcaster.
Motsoeneng continued his testimony at the commission of inquiry into state capture on Wednesday.
In May 2016, the public broadcaster issued a media statement that it would immediately halt the airing of visuals of violent service delivery protests.
The statement said the airing of such material is not in the interest of the public.
The decision came on the back of the violent protests in Vuwani in Limpopo which saw several schools burnt down.
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The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) found the decision to have been unlawful.
"The intention of that was that people should be responsible when they report about these issues. I was called by the Press Club and explained that what we were saying was that they shouldn't show the physicality. If someone just comes and burns this room, don't show those visuals where people are being seen burning. It was a responsibility issue chairperson. We were not banning anything.”
Motsoeneng said it was his role to take such decisions and it cannot be claimed that he was interfering with the SABC's editorial policy.
He argued the SABC continued to show visuals of protests.
"Chairperson, as the COO of the organisation, it is my role to take such decisions. I took that decision and I stand by it wrong or right you will have your findings. I think I did the right thing for the SABC and I take ownership for this decision."