[Submitted via press release]
SABC GIVES UPDATE ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTSThe South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) today held a media briefing to give an update on major developments within the public service broadcaster.
The SABC Board and Management stated that the organisation is progressing well with the implementation of the 24 Hour News Channel which is expected to be launched by the beginning of September 2012.
The organisation has received the final report from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigators and is currently studying the document with the view to action its recommendations. We welcome the prosecution process that is underway in this regard and have offered our full co-operation.
The public service broadcaster is progressing well in the implementation of all the matters that were raised by the Auditor General of South Africa and is pleased that as from the current financial year the audit function of the SABC will be taken over by the Auditor General in the performance of the external audit function.
In terms of the Government Guarantee, the SABC is on course in the implementation of the Guarantee and all of its attended obligations.
The 2011-2012 Annual Report reveals a marked improvement from the previous year in respect of the general performance of the SABC, save a few challenges of amortisation of local and foreign content and there is a plan to address all these challenges.
The SABC Board is confident that the team led by the GCEO Ms. Lulama Mokhobo is equal to the task of leading the SABC and addressing all current and historical institutional challenges.
The Board also reiterated the fact that there is not investigation against the current leadership of the GCEO and any such inferences are uncalled for and mischievous.
Lastly, the SABC has embarked on a ‘Make your Voices Heard Campaign’ where we are urging the public to comment and make inputs in the process of developing new and exciting content.
All 18 radio stations will use their various programmes on Tuesday 07 August and Wednesday 08 August to get feedback on its programming content, such as music and its news and current affairs offerings.
Listeners will have an opportunity to talk with the respective Station Managers. The public can also participate on the radio stations and social media platforms of Facebook and Twitter.
The 3 Television Channels will use their live programmes (Shift, Matric’s Uploaded and YOTV on SABC 1, Morning Live and Hectic Nine-9 on SABC 2 and 3 Talk on SABC 3) to engage with the public.
Viewers will be able to comment on television content via social networks (Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Mxit and WhatsApp) or post remarks to
mysabc@sabc.co.za. In addition, television will broadcast PSA’s with the same message to solicit responses from Tuesday 07 August to Friday 10 August.
The public can contact the SABC’s call centre on 011 714 9111 to get information on all programming.