SOS reiterates its call that the SABC Board must publish a full report of investigations conducted into Mpho Tsedu’s allegations of editorial interference.

SOS welcomes the decision by the SABC Board to remove Mpho Tsedu as Chairperson of the News and Editorial Subcommittee following allegations of unduly interfering with editorial processes on more than one occasion.

SOS commends the Board for taking reasonable measures to protect editorial independence and the credibility of the public broadcaster. This demonstrates its commitment to upholding high journalistic standards and willingness to protect the broadcaster from editorial interference.

When these allegations surfaced, SOS called for investigations to be thorough and transparent and later called for the report to be made public. As such, SOS reiterates its call for the SABC Board to uphold public transparency and accountability and publish a full report of the investigations conducted into these allegations.

It is of paramount importance that the Board provides the public with a detailed account of the investigations, particularly given that the Board safeguards the public interest and has an obligation to inform the public on decisions and matters that are of relevance.

Moreover, given the SABC’s track record on editorial interference under previous boards, clearly the public has a vested interest in ensuring that the public broadcaster upholds transparency and integrity in matters of public interest.

The SOS Coalition calls on the SABC Board to take immediate steps to release the report on these investigations. Confidential and private information can be redacted as the broadcaster deems fit.

For more information contact:
Uyanda Siyotula
National Coordinator
SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition
natcoord@soscoalition.org.za
060 691 2462