Has the SABC become South Africa’s state broadcaster?

The SABC has decided to do a live broadcast of President Thabo Mbeki’s speech to introduce the African National Congress’s election manifesto, but not to do the same for other political parties. The IFP, DA, NA, FF Plus and UDM urged the South African Broadcasting Corporation to reconsider its decision or give other parties the same benefit. Mbeki’s address will be followed by an in-depth analysis of the ANC’s election manifesto by Vuoy Mvuko, SABC news editor, and Redi Direko of the TV programme Interface.

“The SABC is giving an unfair advantage to the ANC by providing them with special treatment and extra coverage in the run-up to the general election. By doing so, the SABC is helping to determine the election result.” ~ DA spokesman Nick Clelland-Stokes.

“The SABC is being turned back into an apartheid-style state broadcaster.” ~ IFP spokesperson Suzanne Vos.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) also questioned the decision, which it said was “not appropriate”.