Media watchdogs slam SABC DA ad ban as unjustifiable

Media watchdogs have slammed the public broadcaster for banning the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) controversial election advert.

Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, Freedom of Expression Institute, the Campaign for Free Expression, and Media Monitoring Africa have described the SABC’s move as unjustifiable, especially since it didn’t even point out what was unconstitutional about the advert.

In a joint statement, the group says the decision to bans the ad is a clear unjustifiable limitation on freedom of expression.

“While the burning of the national flag is deeply offensive, and while many may be angered by the advertisement, it is precisely in moments where there is disagreement that freedom of expression needs to be protected.  The decision which effectively bans the advert is a clear unjustifiable limitation on freedom of expression.”

They are calling for freedom of expression to be protected.

“It is imperative to recognise the right of individual South Africans to freely criticise and condemn the DA’s advert. However, as the public broadcaster, the SABC is entrusted with upholding principles of free speech and impartiality.”

Speaking to YNews, Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and Freedom of Expression Institute’s Samkelo Mokhine says the ad might be offensive, but it is still legal.

In a social media video that sparked a public outcry, the country’s democratic flag goes in flames and emerges intact when it plays in reverse.

The DA says the ad is a symbolic depiction of what “will befall the country if the ANC, forms a coalition with the EFF to remain in power after the May 29 general elections.

DA leader, John Steenhuisen, has threatened to take legal action against the public broadcaster.

Speaking at a campaign event in Soweto, Steenhuisen accused the SABC of working with the ANC government against it.

“So, the ANC deployees at the SABC are saying because the ANC president and because the ANC minister doesn’t like our advert, they’re not going to show it to South Africa.”

In an unprecedented attack on our democracy, deployed ANC cadres at the SABC have banned the DA’s latest advertisement from the air to hide the truth of how the ANC has burnt our country to the ground. The DA will fight to the highest court in the land to defend our constitution. pic.twitter.com/pDdHKt7kZe

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 9, 2024

Brand expert, Thebe Ikalafeng, however, believes that the DA missed an opportunity to explicitly express its message to South Africans.

The SABC has on the other hand defended its decision to censor the contentious advert.

The public broadcaster says it believes the ad encourages the damage of treasured national symbols, among others, and it has already informed the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) of its decision.

Ordinary South Africans are also divided over the issue.

While some are praising the DA for pushing boundaries, others believe the party has gone too far with President Cyril Ramaphosa rejecting the advert as despicable and treasonous.