Department of Communications (DOC) minister, Faith Muthambi, wants the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to be under direct state control, according to the Sunday Times.
The newspaper says the communications minister has launched a bid to take command of the SABC, a move that will see the public broadcaster become a government mouthpiece.
With Cabinet backing, Muthambi has introduced legislation that will give her sole power to appoint the SABC board. The Broadcasting Amendment Bill, tabled on Friday, would wipe out the consensus reached after 1994 to turn the institution into a public broadcaster, reports the Sunday Times.
The bill proposes: "The role of the National Assembly with regard to the appointment of non-executive members of the board is replaced by the minister."
It also allows for a nomination committee to be set up by Muthambi to recommend candidates. "In appointing the members of the committee, the minister must ensure that the committee is broadly representative...and have the necessary skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience to serve on the committee," says the bill.
Democratic Alliance (DA) communications spokesperson, Phumzile Van Damme says the amendments to the bill will pave the way for the SABC to become an ANC propaganda tool, directed by Muthambi.
"The amendments would see the last vestige of independence removed from the SABC. The DA will use all available mechanisms to prevent the bill from passing," says Van Damme.
Share