Is SABC Head of News being targeted by SSA?

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) says SABC Head of News Moshoeshoe Monare must be shielded from external pressures and political interference and be allowed to perform his editorial duties without fear or favour.

This comes after a weekend publication revealed that the State Security Agency’s (SSA) contacted Monare to complete his vetting and security clearance.

WHY DOES SSA WANT TO VET SABC’S MOSHOESHOE MONARE? 

Monare is reportedly under scrutiny due to negative publicity the ruling party is facing ahead of the 29 May elections.

EWN reported that the proximity of the two events raised some suspicion that the agency had been instructed to target Monare following a leaked audio of a meeting by the party’s national executive committee (NEC).

President Cyril Ramaphosa told NEC members in the meeting that the party would challenge any negative reports against it.

Sanef, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), and the Campaign for Freedom of Expression (CFE) have condemned the . They said the move by the SSA undermines the fundamental principles of media and editorial independence and freedom of the press. 

Concerning the organisations, despite the apparent threat to media freedom that the request to vet Monare poses, is that the request comes when Monare has occupied the position for nearly two years! Even more worrying is that it comes just a month before the elections.

“As organisations committed to upholding media freedom, journalistic integrity, and safeguarding the public’s right to accurate information, we condemn this action unequivocally,” the organisations said in a joint statement. 

The organisations have also called on the SABC Board to condemn any public interference in its editorial processes and to uphold their responsibility to protect the independence of the SABC. They also believe that the Head of News must be shielded from external pressures and political interference and be allowed to perform his editorial duties without fear or favour.

“During an election period, it is even more critical that the media can perform their duties without fear and intimidation. Politically compromised media is at risk of undermining a credible, free, and fair election. 

“We need to ensure, at all costs, that the media, especially the public broadcaster, are protected from intimidation and threat. We demand that the Minister and the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, identify the person (s) responsible for this interference and commit swift disciplinary action. Those who seek to undermine media freedom must be held accountable,” the organisations said. 

PRESIDENCY SAYS THERE’S NO LINK

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has since denied that Monare is being targeted. 

Magwenya said there is no link between the ANC’s plans and the SSA’s call to Monare because all other SABC executives are being vetted, too. 

“Upon his appointment, Mr Monare gave consent to the vetting process and completed the form that was furnished to him. He went on to submit some, but not all, the required information. The process was then stalled when Mr Monare did not want to subject himself to a polygraph test, which is part of the vetting process,” Magwenya explained.