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SA broadcaster 'gagged critics' SA broadcaster 'gagged critics'
(20 minutes later)
South Africa's state broadcaster was guilty of stopping six prominent government critics from being interviewed, a leaked report says. South Africa's state broadcaster was guilty of barring six prominent government critics from the airwaves, a leaked report says.
The report said the exclusions were "indefensible" and singled out head of news Snuki Zikalala for his "inappropriate" interventions.The report said the exclusions were "indefensible" and singled out head of news Snuki Zikalala for his "inappropriate" interventions.
SABC itself commissioned the report but has not released its findings in full.SABC itself commissioned the report but has not released its findings in full.
SABC's chief executive Dali Mpofu said the report vindicated his position that there was no blacklist.SABC's chief executive Dali Mpofu said the report vindicated his position that there was no blacklist.
'Restricted views''Restricted views'
Although SABC has released only a summary of the report's findings, the Mail & Guardian newspaper obtained a full copy and has published lengthy excerpts.Although SABC has released only a summary of the report's findings, the Mail & Guardian newspaper obtained a full copy and has published lengthy excerpts.
'GAGGED' CRITICS Moeletsi MbekiKarima BrownAubrey Matshiqi William GumedeSipho SeepeTrevor Ncube Elinor Sisulu, activist Archbishop Pius Ncube The report into whether SABC guidelines had been broken was commissioned after accusations that Mr Zikalala barred certain political analysts from news and current affairs programmes.'GAGGED' CRITICS Moeletsi MbekiKarima BrownAubrey Matshiqi William GumedeSipho SeepeTrevor Ncube Elinor Sisulu, activist Archbishop Pius Ncube The report into whether SABC guidelines had been broken was commissioned after accusations that Mr Zikalala barred certain political analysts from news and current affairs programmes.
It says six commentators and two campaigners, who want South Africa to take a tougher line with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, were affected.It says six commentators and two campaigners, who want South Africa to take a tougher line with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, were affected.
They include Moeletsi Mbeki, the president's brother, who has often criticised South Africa's economic policy.They include Moeletsi Mbeki, the president's brother, who has often criticised South Africa's economic policy.
The leaked excerpts say that terms such as "blacklist" and "banning" are "beside the point".The leaked excerpts say that terms such as "blacklist" and "banning" are "beside the point".
But it says: "The underlying problem is the exclusion of particular individuals for reasons which are not objectively defensible.But it says: "The underlying problem is the exclusion of particular individuals for reasons which are not objectively defensible.
"This situation restricts the range of views available to South Africans who depend on the SABC to provide them with the information upon which they make their democratic choices.""This situation restricts the range of views available to South Africans who depend on the SABC to provide them with the information upon which they make their democratic choices."
The point that I am making, that I will make to my grave, is that there's no blacklist Dali Mpofu SABC chief executive The report says Mr Zikalala intervened "at a micro-level inappropriate to his level of management... which can only impact appropriately on morale".The point that I am making, that I will make to my grave, is that there's no blacklist Dali Mpofu SABC chief executive The report says Mr Zikalala intervened "at a micro-level inappropriate to his level of management... which can only impact appropriately on morale".
The report finds it "not implausible" that decisions were taken "to avoid the censure, real or perceived, of Mr Zikalala".The report finds it "not implausible" that decisions were taken "to avoid the censure, real or perceived, of Mr Zikalala".
Former head of news Pippa Green wrote to Mr Zikalala to complain but, according to the Mail & Guardian, received the reply: "I don't think I have the time and energy to be involved in such arguments."Former head of news Pippa Green wrote to Mr Zikalala to complain but, according to the Mail & Guardian, received the reply: "I don't think I have the time and energy to be involved in such arguments."
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the SABC appears to be standing by Mr Zikalala and says it is confident that he can carry out his duties.BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the SABC appears to be standing by Mr Zikalala and says it is confident that he can carry out his duties.
But our correspondent says the widespread perception is of a public broadcaster increasingly inclined to exercise self-censorship in support of the ANC-led government.But our correspondent says the widespread perception is of a public broadcaster increasingly inclined to exercise self-censorship in support of the ANC-led government.
Mr Mpofu strongly defended the SABC, saying the report found "no political motive".Mr Mpofu strongly defended the SABC, saying the report found "no political motive".
He added: "The point that I am making, that I will make to my grave, is that there's no blacklist."He added: "The point that I am making, that I will make to my grave, is that there's no blacklist."