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Wither SABC?

BY Hassen Lorgat

This story has been circulating on social media, but the SABC—especially its leadership—must take the blame for it. I do not blame the front-line workers for this mess.

Last week, the SABC board unilaterally canceled a scheduled meeting with media activists to discuss their coverage of the genocide. the invitation to the meeting came from the
Khathutshelo Ramukumba, Chairperson of the SABC Board.

Since they had set the date unilaterally in the first place, the cancellation was not a surprise, but it was a waste of our time and energy as we had to make arrangements and prepare for the meeting with various groups.

Today, I have been in correspondence with a few SABC staffers who clearly do not want to be accused of aiding and abetting a genocide. I have named the core problem in a small piece, and it is this: both-side-ism, or fake balance.

The fact that a correspondent like Marks is being discussed on social media is a creative way to unmask the real issues that many of us are concerned about.

On “both-side-ism,” we are clear: There can be no false balance during a genocide, just as there can be no neutrals. By giving Marks and her comrades uncontested coverage, the SABC—and I have just been told, the eNCA has also been implicated—is offside.

Another SABC contact told me that this poster “politicizes” things, and I replied that it is them who are being political as I will explain. The SABC, eNCA are suffering from a severe bout of genocide denial and both-sideism. The genocide denial I will not explain here but will touch on this seemingly noble neutrality.

The central thesis of the argument against “both-side-ism” was well-put by Jodie Ginsberg, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists: you are not neutral, so you must not pretend to be. Ginsberg recently summarized the job of a journalist thus:

“I am surprised that people were less willing to do the work that we all believe is necessary as a journalist: to ask the difficult questions, to ask for proof, to ask for evidence. Our job is not simply to parrot what we’re told, to quote one side and the other side. Our job is to go and investigate, to understand what really happened.”

So, there you have it.

So, please, do your job.  If you have an apologist in your studio, do your homework and put all the facts before them. Do not give them a mahala ride. And if the bosses above you insist on supporting a genocide, do speak out and tell the world.

 

Hassen Lorgat

Hassen Lorgat
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