March for Free Speech in South Africa

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is organising a demonstration outside SABC head office in Auckland Park on Friday 13 April 2007 (from 14h00 to 16h00) to protest against the SABC blacklisting scandal. The have asked us to help promote the rally in order ‘to expose the climate of fear, which is created by the bureaucracy at SABC and to hold the "public broadcaster" accountable to its mandate’.

We have in the past had fundamental disagreements over the FXI's position on the situation in the Middle East and its conduct towards the South African Jewish community. But these disputes should not deter us from co-operating on other issues that are pertinent to both the FXI and the South African Jewish Community.

The SABC blacklisting scandal should be of grave concern to all freedom loving South Africans. The national broadcaster should provide a forum for a diverse range of views and not just toe the political line of the ruling party. Thus the SABC’s behaviour is a serious threat to freedom of speech in South Africa. But as Jews we should be particularly concerned about the comments made by Dr Snuki Zikalala (SABC head of news) in relation to Paula Slier. He is alleged to have said that he did not want to have a 'white Jewish girl reporting from Ramallah'.

We encourage everyone to make every effort to attend the protest. We will also be lobbying other Jewish organisations to get involved.

Details of the demonstration:

Date: Friday 13th April 2007
Place: SABC Head Office Auckland Park
Time: Assemble at 13:45

See this summary post for more information on the SABC Blacklisting scandal.

Comments

[Gary]

How can I march with people like Naem Jinnah and Jane Duncan?

[THE DICTATOR / EMBITTERED CORRESPONDENT]

I am delighted that The FXI have finally contacted IT'S ALMOST
SUPERNATURAL ( I have suggested that they do so on numerous occasions
but to no avail !)

As some of you know, I have been communicating with The FXI for some
time about Snuki Zikalala and have raised a number of issues with Jane
Duncan and Na'eem Jeenah . I believe that The FXI should demand (1)
that The SABC's board be immediately removed from office and (2) that
Snuki Zikalala be sacked. The most serious abuses of freedom of
expression have occurred at The SABC during his tenure and now is the
time to release The ANC's stranglehold over the public broadcaster.

I have smsd the FXI demo organizers to find out what their stance is on
this matter but have received no response. Perhaps The FXI can now
inform the blog exactly what they will be demanding at the demo?

VIVAVIVA