The SOS Coalition is not party to the civil society call against MDDA alleging fraud and irregularities

The SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition states for the record that it is not part of the civil society organisations that have called on the President to suspend the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Board and to institute a commission of inquiry into governance irregularities.

The open letter to the President which was sent by Corruption Watch on behalf of a number of organisations and individuals, titled ‘Call for Suspension of MDDA Board and Commission of Inquiry into the Media Development and Diversity Agency’ contained the footer, ‘SOS MDDA Open Letter to the President’, which some took to refer to the SOS Coalition.

In this instance, the abbreviation SOS is used to refer to extreme distress and as a way of calling urgent help, it does not in any way imply the SOS Coalition’s involvement in the matter.

This clarity is further necessitated by a glaring error in a report by eNCA on 9 February 2023 which contained an interview with Right2Know Campaign’s Sithembiso Khuluse. The report is also available on its digital platforms. The news anchor stated that, “The SOS Coalition is calling on the President to suspend the Media Development and Diversity Agency Board. It is accused of fraud, abuse of power, victimisation of whistle blowers and governance irregularities…”

The Coalition reiterates that it is not party to the call against the MDDA Board.

SOS expects ENCA to publish a correction in this regard.

For more information contact:

Uyanda Siyotula

National Coordinator

060 691 2462