Over the past year, the role of the media in shaping the public agenda has come into sharp focus in South Africa and abroad. In South Africa, the South Africa Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC) – as a public broadcaster - has a constitutional duty to uphold freedom of expression, and act in the best interest of the South African public.

Its Editorial Policy states that the SABC aims to provide those residing in South Africa with the information needed to participate in the building of democracy.

The SABC’s ability to fulfill its public service mandate – following recent events, and allegations that is unable to remain financially stable and politically independent – is currently under investigation. Hlaudi Motsoeneng (SABC’s former acting COO) came under scrutiny after driving a controversial policy at the SABC that banned footage of protest on the public broadcaster’s channels. Some SABC journalists were suspended, fired and / or faced disciplinary action for publically opposing the policy, and later reinstated - following a court judgment.

Currently, an ad hoc Parliamentary committee is investigating the suitability of the SABC board to hold office. It is expected that the committee, which has until the end of February 2017 to finalise its report, will ratify an investigation into corruption and alleged mismanagement at the public broadcaster.

Report by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation