Broadcasters are experiencing increasing pressure from the government to toe the line. Some are being banned from the air
The government is using its influence at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, the public service broadcaster, to silence dissenting voices and quash news of protest in the lead up to the municipal elections in August, media sources tell Africa Confidential. A senior SABC television news editor in the Eastern Cape, Thami Dickson, has been taken off air for using what managers called 'overly critical' words to describe President Jacob Zuma's presidency, we hear. Journalists in the province have been banned from doing live studio TV interviews until further notice. 'Jo'burg calls and instructs. We expect more pressure ahead of the election,' said a senior SABC staff member.
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