SABC must apologise for EFF rebuff

THE remorse of news show presenter Eben Jansen was not enough to save the SABC from being ordered to apologise on air.

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission has ordered the SABC to apologise for Jansen’s aggressive behaviour towards Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi in an interview on the SABC news programme, SABC Newsroom, on DStv channel 404 about the vandalising of statues.

Viewer Jarred Cinman complained to the broadcasting industry watchdog that Jansen’s behaviour was “biased, unprofessional, rude and embarrassing” and called for Jansen to be taken off air.

“It is not news. It is either journalistic incompetence or political bias,” Cinman said.

In the interview on the daily show earlier this month, Jansen refused to let Ndlozi speak and claimed the EFF had stolen a protest action from students who wanted to remove the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from the University of Cape Town.

The SABC told the watchdog it had taken strong action against Jansen for breaching SABC editorial policies by abruptly ending the interview and silencing Ndlozi.

Jansen is off air pending a decision by SABC News management.

The SABC declined to comment yesterday on the disciplinary steps.

The SABC also gave the complaints division letters of apology Jansen had written to the broadcaster and Ndlozi in which, the SABC said, he had shown genuine remorse.

The channel said while SABC editorial policies were breached, it did not believe it contravened the broadcasting code of conduct.

But watchdog commissioner Dr Lynda Gilfillan said Ndlozi was interrupted and ridiculed, and denied the opportunity to answer questions.

“The severity of his unprofessionalism puts it in breach of the broadcasting code,” Gilfillan said.