Minister backs SABC censorship decision

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi yesterday backed the SABC decision to place an apartheid-style ban on airing footage of violent protests. ‘We unequivocally condemn the destruction of public and private infrastructure. It is our belief that the decision by the public broadcaster not to show footage of people burning public institutions, such as schools and libraries, in any of its news bulletins, will go a long way to discourage attention-seeking anarchists,’ Muthambi said, according to a report on the IoL site. She added the department respected the editorial independence of the public broadcaster and described the ban as positive because the SABC had a mandate to ensure ‘nation building and the promotion of social cohesion’. The SA National Editors Forum, however, said the decision amounted to censorship and should be condemned.