The South African Broadcasting Corporation is defending an urgent application by the African Content Movement to cover its 2019 elections manifesto launch on Saturday, the public broadcaster said.
The SABC “will be vigorously opposing the application”, which was scheduled to be heard by the South Gauteng High Court at 10am on Saturday, he said. SABC group executive for news and current affairs Phathiswa Magopeni said: “This is an editorial decision that has taken into account, among others, resource constraints and equitable coverage treatment of political parties contesting the elections. In addition as per Icasa [Independent Communications Authority of South Africa] regulations, there is no obligation on the SABC to provide live coverage to any political party.