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The SABC has refused to flight the controversial Democratic Alliance(DA) election advert depicting the burning of South African flag.
The advert, launched at the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg on Sunday, with the opening title “This election is about survival” has caused a stir and was received with mixed emotions.
The public broadcaster’s decision is detailed in a letter addressed to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
“The SABC has been monitoring the outcry from South Africans of all races condemning the advertisement which is currently in circulation on various media platforms.
“Likewise, the SABC believes that the advertisement encourages damage of treasured national symbols. The national flag is a national symbol which represents diverse elements of the country and national unity.
“Additionally, it is expected that the national flag should be accorded with dignity and respect. Thus, the flag is not a representation of a political party but the nation at large,” the statement read.
DA leader John Steenhuisen took a swipe at the ruling party and said this is a desperate attempt to suppress the DA because they know we are about to defeat them.
He added; “ANC lapdogs inside the SABC have decided to ban the DA’s television commercial from the air.
“They are actively preventing the people of South Africa from seeing the truth about how the ANC has set our country on fire.
“This blatant act of censorship is an unprecedented assault on our democracy, less than three weeks before an election where the ANC is set to lose for the first time.”
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Steenhuisen also revealed that they will challenge what he termed the treasonous act by the deployed ANC cadres inside the SABC.
“This attack on free speech and suppression of the opposition, only confirms the urgency of the DA’s warning contained in the ad,” he concluded.
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Bitten by a media bug in the late 90’s – As a bona-fide Journo, he boast extensive expertise in print, online and broadcast medium and continues to strive to be the best version of himself.
