MK Party says SABC feeding public 'propaganda' with continued use of GNU phrase
Advocate Dali Mpofu maintained the SABC’s millions of viewers and listeners were being 'poisoned' on an hourly basis for as long as it referred to the seventh administration as a government of national unity.
Picture: Zaian via Wikimedia Commons
CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party says the public broadcaster is feeding the citizenry propaganda and violating their rights by referring to a government of national unity (GNU) in their reportage.
The party was before the Gauteng High Court on Thursday, arguing why it needs to urgently hear its case against the South African Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC).
Their lawyer, Dali Mpofu, said it’s a misconception this case is about the GNU itself.
The MK Party told the high court the SABC had a role to play in shaping democracy.
Mpofu, a former CEO of the SABC, said the case was about the constitutional obligations of the public broadcaster and the rights of those it serves.
READ: Zuma, MK Party in court against SABC over its use of GNU phrase
He maintained the SABC’s millions of viewers and listeners were being “poisoned” on an hourly basis for as long as it referred to the seventh administration as a GNU.
The MK Party is now the country’s main opposition party since the Democratic Alliance (DA) joined the GNU.
Mpofu said the current government does not fit the classic definitions of what constitutes a GNU, including that it should represent more than 85% of the electorate.
He said the SABC’s opposition to the case is contrived and unfounded, and he maintained it’s dragged its feet in meeting court deadlines for an urgent matter.
The hearing continues.