YCL+on+ANC+briefing+notes+and+on+SABC+censorship

PRESS STATEMENT

 * 22 June 2006**

=I. ON THE ANC NWC BRIEFING NOTES=

The Young Communist League notes the NWC Briefing Notes of the ANC that were released after the bilateral meeting between the ANC and the SACP.

As the YCL we would like to reject with contempt the insinuation by the NWC of the ANC, that the YCL is being funded by agencies that are not prepared to fund the ANC because of liberal reasons. The insinuation is littered with malice, rumour-mongering and is without substance. It will be interesting to know who the sources for the author of the ANC document is, and as to how such malicious information was sought and what its intentions are.

It is our view that the author of the ANC document seeks to distract the genuine debates generated by the SACP Discussion document, and seek to publicly discredit the YCL for reasons known to the author and the leadership of the YCL.

We are also concerned with the manner in which the NWC of the ANC engages itself with the Document released by the SACP; this qualifies our statement that the ANC is intolerant of debates and criticism. The response is vintage ANC, or rather the author, reminiscent of previous tactics of bullying alliance partners each time there are debates that seeks to constructively build the alliance. The leadership of the YCL is working on an extensive discussion to take forward the debates raised by the SACP and COSATU document.

=II. ON THE SABC CENSORSHIP OF POLITICAL COMMENTATORS.=

The YCL is disturbed and concerned to learn the news that the head of SABC news, Mr Snuki Zikalala, has issued an instruction to the news personnel to stop calling certain political commentators because of their biasness to a particular faction in the succession impasse in the ANC. We welcome the move by the SABC Group Executive, Adv. Dali Mpofu, to investigate the matter and ensure that the public is informed of its outcome.

We hope that this will not be another investigation swept under the carpet. If after the investigations, there are elements of misconduct on the part of Snuki Zikalala, we believe that he should resign with immediate effect as this has compromised the credibility of the public broadcaster.

We further like to indicate that as the YCL we are still awaiting a response from the SABC pertaining to a media briefing that was attend by a senior SABC news journalist prior to the judgement of the rape trial of the Deputy President of the ANC, Cde Jacob Zuma.


 * Issued by the Young Communist League National Office**


 * 1 – 5 Leyds Street, COSATU House**
 * BRAAMFONTEIN**
 * JHB, 2000**


 * Contact: Castro Ngobese**
 * Telephone: 011 339 3621**
 * Mobile: 082 678 2612**

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