The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has decided to ban a controversial advertisement from the Democratic Alliance (DA) that includes the burning of the national flag, sparking widespread reactions.
SABC explains thoughts behind banning DA burning flag advert
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The SABC detailed its decision to ban the DA’s advertisement in a letter to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
The broadcaster cited significant public outcry and a responsibility to uphold the dignity of the national flag as a symbol of unity and diversity within the country.
The SABC emphasised that as a public broadcaster, it must promote national unity and avoid fuelling further outrage, which the advertisement had already incited across various media platforms.
“The flag is not a representation of a political party but the nation at large,” the SABC said.
Furthermore, the SABC pointed out that broadcasting the advertisement could prejudice the corporation, especially as some of the advert’s content is currently under formal complaint.
“We encourage the DA to amend the advertisement and resubmit for broadcast,” the public broadcaster added.
John Steenhuisen threatens legal action against public broadcaster
In response to the ban, John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, announced that the party has briefed its legal team to challenge the SABC’s decision, which he described as “treasonous” and an “unprecedented assault on democracy.”
Steenhuisen accused the SABC of acting as “ANC lapdogs,” suppressing the advertisement to hinder the DA’s campaign ahead of the upcoming election where he believes the ANC could lose power.
The DA views this act as a direct attack on free speech and a suppression of the opposition.
“The ANC’s clampdown on freedom of speech to protect itself from criticism, is but a small foretaste of what is to come under the ANC/EFF Doomsday Coalition, which will burn our flag, burn our democracy, and burn our economy to the ground,” Steenhuisen exclaimed at a rally in Soweto, on Thursday.
Reactions to SABC banning DA burning flag advert
The ban has elicited strong reactions from various quarters. Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, and President Cyril Ramaphosa have both supported the SABC’s decision, labelling the advertisement’s depiction of the national flag burning as “abhorrent,” “unpatriotic,” and “treasonous.”
They argue that such imagery, especially during an election campaign, is harmful to the nation’s fabric and should not be part of political campaigning.
Conversely, the DA and its supporters argue that the SABC’s decision is a form of political censorship that undermines democratic values like freedom of expression, especially critical in the context of an impending national election.
Here are more reactions to SABC’s decision to ban the DA burning flag advert:
