The Department of Communications (DoC) will not interfere with the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) editorial freedom, Yunus Carrim, South Africa’s new minister of communications, has said.
According to a report by SABC News, Carrim believes press freedom is of utmost importance within a democratic country, despite the responsibility of the SABC to report issues of management to parliament.
He also believes the SABC has to uphold its responsibility of informing the public.
HumanIPO reported on Wednesday Marian Shinn, shadow minister of communications for opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA), said she welcomed the removal of Dina Pule, the now former minister of communications.
However, Shinn expressed her concern to HumanIPO, saying she understands Carrim to be an “ardent Communist and a fan of nationalisation”.
Furthermore she said she hoped his term in office will not result in increased government control of the sector and interference with market dynamics, which are “essential to the flourishing of the ICT sector”.
After being sworn in on Wednesday, Carrim said he intends to address state entities, particularly the SABC and the management of its board. Carrim believes the SABC’s board needs to improve in terms of performance.
Furthermore, Carrim said he is aware of the many challenges, including the issue of digital migration in the country.
“Time is fast running out, we have to move more swiftly, but we also need a department that’s united and works towards a less fractious ICT sector. We have nine months left for our term to come to an end and it’s not if we can wave a magic wand and solve all the problems overnight,” SABC news quoted Carrim as saying.
