South Africa / Former News Boss Proposes A Bail Out For SABC News International

South Africa / Former News Boss Proposes A Bail Out For SABC News International

PRETORIA, August 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Former Head of News and Current Affairs Snuki Zikalala has proposed to bail out the bankrupt SABC News International. This comes after the SABC management recently recommended to the interim board that the channel be scaled down or closed. Zikakala told the Mail & Guardian newspaper that he is negotiating with business people to provide financial backing to try to ensure the survival of the SABC News International and has sent a proposal to the Chairperson of the Board Irene Chanley.

?As South Africans and African editors we cannot allow the media landscape to continue being dominated by the BBC and CNN? said Zikalala. He also added that he will submit a comprehensive financial plan on how the channel could be run as a commercial channel independent of SABC funding and adhering to SABC editorial values.

He has also recruited media academic Guy Berger and the Head of Media 24's journalism academy Mathatha Tsedu to give their input on how to shape the channel. Buger said he was willing to give advice because SABC News International focuses on matters of interest to South Africans and Africans. Tsedu also confirmed he was willing to support an initiative to save the channel. ? I agree it is a channel that needs to be saved,? he said.

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