John Steenhuisen MPL

It has been most disappointing to observe that the SABC has blinked for the second time on the airing of the political satire show. It is essential that our public broadcaster retains it's independence and conducts its programming without fear or favour.   Why the SABC would baulk at airing a political satire programme is simply beyond me. Political satire by it's very nature is controversial but at the same time adds to the current political discourse. In most democratic countries there are a plethora of satirical television shows which poke fun at politicians and other personalities. They play an important role in keeping people informed and politicians humble and on their toes.   It really is a great pity that our public broadcaster continues to sacrifice their constitutional and democratic duty on the altar of political correctness. It seems the more things change the more they stay the same. In the old days the SABC was the slavish mouthpiece of the Nats and today they seem to shy away from offending their ANC masters. Perhaps the SABC needs a public reminder that they are a publicly funded public broadcaster not the government communications department?