SABC says the banning of protest visuals will not affect factual reporting.

Leonie Pretorius

25 June 2016

The South African Broadcasting Corporation  says while it will not be airing footage of violent protests, this will not impact on factual reporting by the public broadcaster.

It presented its reasoning behind the decision not to broadcast footage of violent protests where property is destroyed.

In a statement to by COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng last month, he said the reason is to prevent copycat behaviour.

The SABC also said broadcasting footage of violent protests was affecting brand South Africa internationally and discouraged foreign investment.

Media Monitoring Africa together with three other civil organisations have been presenting their cases against the SABC to Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s  complaints committee.

SABC representative Bantubonke Dakota says the SABC will show images of destruction of property, but only after the incidents, to prevent different communities copying what they see on TV.

He says while protesters vandalising property will not be aired, the result of the protest will be broadcast.