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Sex, nudity and sport all hot topics for SABC

Cape Town – Sex, nudity, sport, violence – even TV scheduling – have proven to be hot topics as points for discussion at the nationwide SABC public hearings as the deadline for submissions for the public broadcaster's review of editorial policies approaches.

Whether you love the SABC – or not – Valentine’s Day, 14 February, is the deadline for ordinary South Africans, organisations, and any interested parties to send their submissions to South Africa's public broadcaster which is reviewing its editorial policy.

SABC news and current affairs programming at both an operational and policy level have so far also come under scrutiny, with issues around editorial independence, "positive" coverage and urban bias also generating discussion at the SABC's public hearings.

"The SABC and the decisions taken by its staff are subject to scrutiny in the way few other institutions and no other media organisations experience," says Graham Welch, the SABC's general manager for editorial policy and governance.

"Whether there is a decision to can a programme or the announcement of a resignation, one thing is guaranteed – the generation of heated debate and acres of column space."

"Many of the most intense conversations about the SABC relate directly to decisions that are taken about content carried on SABC platforms."

"These content decisions are taken within a context. This context includes guidelines that provide a framework for the way in which decisions around content, whether controversial or not, are taken. These guidelines are collectively known as the editorial policies of the SABC," says Welch.

The SABC is currently reviewing its editorial policies –a process which began in June last year. So far the SABC has hosted 15 public hearings through South Africa. The SABC will be revising its policies, but first release it for public comment.

"The editorial policies that are under review currently define the framework within which all decisions about the content carried by the SABC need to be taken," says Welch.

"They deal with general programming, news and current affairs, language, local content, universal service and access, religious programming and education."

The SABC's editorial policies can be found at www.sabc.co.za/editorialpolicy and all submissions should be sent to editorial@sabc.co.za. Submissions to the SABC can also be posted to Editorial Policy, Pvt Bag X1, Auckland Park, 2006.

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