Motsoeneng’s view isn’t the SABC’s

THE SABC has distanced itself from its chief operations officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s call for the media to be regulated.

The public broadcaster has also criticised DA MP Gavin Davis for calling on new SABC chief executive Frans Matlala to rebuke Motsoeneng.

“Mr Motsoeneng, as a citizen of the Republic, has a right to express his views as enshrined in the constitution of South Africa in respect to freedom of speech,” it said in a statement yesterday.

“It is imperative that the DA does not make an insinuation that this statement is the official pronouncement of the SABC. To draw the SABC into this matter is unfortunate and reckless.”

It said new chairman Obert Maghuve couldn’t act against Motsoeneng for expressing his private views.

“The SABC board is not in any position to discipline the COO based on the fact that he is merely expressing his view as a citizen. It is therefore not in the best interest of the SABC to be drawn into this.”

Motsoeneng had told the portfolio committee on communication on Tuesday: “The Honourable Davis, you should not be afraid for the media to be regulated. Even Parliament is regulated. The judges are regulated. What is a sin if media are regulated? It’s very important that all people should be regulated. We need people to be professional when they do their work.” – ANA