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Draft SABC inquiry report calls for end to political interference

A draft report by the SABC inquiry’s ad hoc committee recommends that political interference be brought to an end and that the broadcaster restores the public’s trust in it.

The report, which will be finalised tomorrow when the committee meets again, was leaked to the SABC yesterday.

It summarises all the findings and observations from witness testimonies brought before it and recommends interventions to be put into place to steer the public broadcaster back on course.

Most of the observations reveal dissatisfaction and a lack of trust that the testimonies given by former and current SABC board members and Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi, were wholly truthful.

Political interference, abuse of power must stop

During the inquiry and particularly last week during former board chairperson, Ellen Tshabalala’s appearance, it was revealed that a number of political parties had improperly interfered with governance at the SABC.

Also revealed was Muthambi’s involvement in key decisions that sidelined board members, the introduction of a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) which gave her more power to make executive decisions and the contravention of the Broadcasting Act.

“The SABC board must ensure that an environment free of intimidation and abuse of power must prevail at all times at the Public Broadcaster,” the report states.

“All political interference on the SABC board operations must be condemned and any such interference must be attended to and exposed immediately to the SABC Accounting Authority and Parliament.”

SABC must adhere to high journalistic standards and regain public’s confidence

The report further recommends the SABC adhere to the highest standards of of journalism with editorial independence being uppermost.

“The SABC must ensure that its audience regain the confidence that public interest information, entertainment programmes and educational programmes are credible and reliable.”

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