The Presidency has dismissed claims that it pressured the SABC to cancel the popular current affairs show Face the Nation, with spokesperson Vincent Magwenya labelling the allegations a “complete lie”.
This follows a report which claimed that some senior African National Congress (ANC) and government leaders were unhappy with the show’s tough interviews, particularly a recent exchange involving the Presidency, and that this may have influenced the decision not to renew the programme.
Background to the Cancellation
The show’s host, Clement Manyathela, has also confirmed that the programme will not be renewed when its contract comes to an end, saying he was informed of the decision by SABC management. Manyathela stated that SABC management informed him that the programme was being discontinued because the broadcaster could no longer afford to continue producing it, despite its performance and status as a flagship show.
According to the Government Communication and Information System, the SABC is a public broadcaster that is funded by the government and public donations. The SABC’s funding model has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with some arguing that it is not sustainable.
Reaction to the Cancellation
Magwenya denied that the Presidency had anything to do with the decision, and called on Manyathela and the SABC to explain the real reasons behind the show’s cancellation. Manyathela has expressed his pride in the work done on Face the Nation, saying that the show held power to account and asked tough questions even when it was uncomfortable.
Some of the key issues surrounding the cancellation of Face the Nation include:
- Funding priorities: The SABC’s decision to cancel Face the Nation has raised questions about the broadcaster’s funding priorities.
- Policy inconsistencies: The cancellation of Face the Nation has also highlighted inconsistencies in the SABC’s policy on programming and content.
- Internal backlash: The SABC has faced internal backlash over the cancellation of Face the Nation, with some employees expressing concerns about the decision.
For more information on the SABC and its programming, visit the SABC website.
