Protests outside SABC offices
2008-06-13 15:34
Johannesburg - Dozens of protestors have gathered outside SABC offices in five provinces in a call for the broadcaster's board to step down, the Freedom of Expression Network said on Friday.
Gauteng organiser Siphiwe Segodi said about 100 people were outside the SABC offices in Gauteng.
He said the SABC needed to get back into order after all the internal strife it was going through.
The Network also wanted the current board to step down and a new one to replace it.
The civil society organisation said it wanted civil society representation at board level.
Eastern Cape organiser Thabang Maseko said about 20 people had gathered outside the SABC offices in Bisho.
He said SABC employees were afraid to come out and protest but they had told the protestors they supported their action.
Mpumulanga organiser Thelma Nkosi said there were about a dozen people outside the Nelspruit offices.
She said SABC employees were coming to talk to the picketers.
She said the protestors wanted an SABC that fulfilled the needs of the community.
Western Cape organiser Notasika Mboto said about thirty five people were protesting outside the broadcaster's Sea Point offices.
He said one of the protestors was an SABC official.
The board needed to step down because they "can't resolve their problem inside".
He added that social movements needed to have representation on the board.
Free state organiser Sam Radebe said 15 people were picketing outside the Bloemfontein offices.
"The SABC needs to be more transparent to broadcasting interests of the public."
He said the freedom of expression network was opposed to apparent censorship at the SABC - such as when independent political commentators were allegedly excluded.
- SAPA