SABC has its Phil of news - 7 May 2012

By Rod Baker, Content Director

The SABC is debating the role its group CEO should play in decisions about its news coverage. This follows the dispute that led to the suspension of head of news Phil Molefe. However, group CEO Lulama Mokhobo says policy on who has the final say should be decided by the end of the next financial year. One would have thought that this sort of issue would have been resolved ages ago - and why is it taking so long?

Someone who is in no doubt who has the final say is Ditaba Malapane, a DJ at the Phalaborwa community radio station in Limpopo. He apparently said, "Sies" on air - and that, plus a couple of other things he is alleged to have said, got him fired.

In our newswatch today we bring to your attention more news of the SABC - in the news for upsetting a large number of fans of The Bold and the Beautiful because it managed to flight the same episode three times last week, and also in the news for some rather grand plans. The latter calls for a large number of new channels - and some experts reckon national broadcaster is going a channel too far (perhaps a few too far).

There is also some news of minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, who refused to address the Cape Town Press Club because a DA MP - he happens to be a paid-up member of the club - was in the audience.

Finally, Adre Greef, candidate attorney at law firm Adams & Adams, explains how Santam and Nando's, with some creative manoeuvring, avoided getting the ASA involved during their recent friendly face-off.

Perhaps it will be a lesson for some other parties in the future on one way to handle disputes of this nature. Best of all, however, the kids at Johannesburg Children's Home got to have a taste - and will continue having a taste for some time - of Nando's toothsome titbits.

And that's much better for them than an ASA ruling.

Rod Baker, Content Director