IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - SOUTH AFRICA

1 November 2001

ANC members of parliament attack broadcaster

SOURCE: Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), Johannesburg

(FXI/IFEX) - The FXI notes with great concern the African National Congress
(ANC) members of parliament's (MPs') continued attacks on the national
broadcaster. In yet another attack on the South African Broadcasting
Corporation, on Wednesday 31 October 2001, the MPs criticised the
broadcaster for its coverage on President Thabo Mbeki, saying that it is
giving more publicity to opposition leaders than to the head of state.

The attack is the second in two days. On Tuesday 30 October, the National
Assembly's Communications Committee chairperson attacked the national
broadcaster for its coverage of foreign policy and policies on the coverage
of violence and accidents.

The FXI is concerned with both the continued attacks and the nature of the
attacks. For MPs to launch such attacks on the broadcaster may be read as an
attempt to intimidate journalists at the broadcaster. The broadcaster
employs editors who are able to make professional decisions on content in
term of both quality and quantity of news items. Moreover, there are
organisations and mechanisms in place to deal with complaints to the media.

In the FXI's opinion, the ruling party's attack on the broadcaster is
political and is not based on journalistic assessment. The ANC seems to be
confusing the public broadcaster for their publicist desk.

For further information, contact Information and Communications Officer
Scotch Tagwireyi, FXI at P.O. Box 30668, Braamfontein, 2017, Johannesburg
(Street Address: 5th Floor Argon House, 87 Juta Street, Braamfontein,
Johannesburg), South Africa, tel: +27 11 403 8403/4, mobile: +27 72 357
2699, fax: +27 11 403 8309, e-mail: [email protected] [2], Internet:
http://fxi.org.za [3]

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of FXI.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit FXI.
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