Is the lengthy prime-time television interview afforded to ANC President Jacob Zuma by the SABC last night a sign of things to come? This must be the question asked by all opposition parties following the public broadcaster's slavish pandering to its political masters. 

It is no wonder that, a few hours later, Mosioua Lekota (being interviewed on eTV) thanked the private broadcaster for giving him the opportunity to be interviewed as the SABC was giving all its time to ANC spokespersons!  How right he was! 

"It is time that the SABC (television and radio) was monitored, daily, by an independent ombudsperson with regard to all of its political content. The SABC is intended to be a public broadcaster reflecting fairness and (in the words of the Constitution) "a diversity of views broadly representing South African society". Clearly, it is not meeting its mandate in this regard and things are only going to get worse unless this rot is stopped," said IFP spokesperson on communications Suzanne Vos. 

Most parties have had many meetings over the years with the SABC Board and its executives about their political coverage (and lack thereof when it comes to opposition parties) to no avail. "We cannot see yet another call for fairness being taken to heart when, clearly, the ANC (faced with a rebellion within its own ranks) is going to use every means at its disposal (which means the SABC) to squash and vilify its so-called 'dissidents'," said Vos. 

The IFP is of the view that all opposition parties should consider meeting en bloc to seek a remedy to the current Zanufication of the SABC and, if needs be, seek redress from our courts. "This pro-ANC bias cannot go on. The SABC reaches the homes (via radio and television) of the vast majority of South Africans.  A national election is only months away and we should not allow the SABC, yet again, to pander (as it did in 1999 and again in 2004) to the ruling party," said Vos.  

It is no secret that the political turmoil within the ANC-alliance is also being played out within the SABC. 

"That the current SABC Board is an "Mbeki board" under threat of dismissal by the post-Polokwane "Zuma faction" in Parliament is also a factor.  That the positions of executive officers of the Corporation are also under threat and most are in and out of court and the CCMA like human yo-yo's is another decisive factor.  All appear to now be bending over backwards to appease their new ANC bosses." 

In conclusion Vos said: "This is a matter which goes to the heart of how the citizens of this country can freely make up their own minds as to whom they wish to govern them. South Africans must demand of their public broadcaster that they be treated with respect and not force-fed and manipulated with pre-programmed political propaganda." 

The IFP will in due course lodge a formal complaint with the Chairperson of the Broadcast Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCC SA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Suzanne Vos
083 303 0451