The straw that broke AM-Live presenter John Perlman’s back was the fact that his bosses did not include him in a decision about who his new co-presenter would be, an SABC insider told the Mail & Guardian.
Nikiwe Bikitsha announced her departure and Perlman expected to be included in auditions for her successor as the show is broadcast as a doubleÂ-header and its success depends on a rapport between the two presenters. Perlman had been included in deliberations about previous appointments but was excluded this time.
Perlman’s resignation comes just three months after a damning commission of inquiry found that there was a practice of blacklisting commentators at the SABC. The inquiry was prompted by Perlman’s on-air admission that such a ‘blacklist†existed. Perlman would not comment this week and told M&G Online that he needed time to think.
Political parties, media commentators and civil society organisations, such as trade union federation Cosatu, have spoken out about Perlman’s departure. They have called for further investigation into the ‘blacklisting sagaâ€, interpreting Perlman’s move as fallout from last year’s debacle.
With CNBC launching an Africa channel, the SABC is losing talent. Well-known SABC news anchor Lerato Mbele said she was leaving to present CNBC Africa’s daily flagship political show. ‘I am leaving because I got a good offer from CNBC and it is an opportunity for me to grow — I am not leaving because of any controversy or revolution,†she told the M&G.
Bikitsha will also join CNBC as a news anchor and talk show host. Perlman was reportedly offered a job at the new business channel, but has not accepted it.
Most of the journalists who testified before the commission into blacklisting were young and black. In their final report, the commissioners, Zwelakhe Sisulu and Gilbert Marcus said the news division reflected a climate of fear. They made several recommendations to improve this atmosphere but it appears the report has been shelved.
The commissioners recommended that the SABC develop guidelines about the use of guests and commentators through widespread consultation with people in and outside of the corporation. They found that current practice contradicts the SABC’s mandate.
They also recommended that the SABC board oversee a regular audit of the use of commentators.
To reinforce the group CEO’s role as editor-in-chief, they suggested several measures, such as the establishment of a regular forum of senior managers in the news and current affairs department and a monitoring system to ensure policy compliance.
They concluded that the board should take ‘close cognisance†of the concerns about [director of news and current affairs] Dr [Snuki] Zikalala’s management style and ‘encourage SABC personnel to recognise their accountability to the public at large.â€
Several reporters who spoke to the M&G said there had not been follow- up to the commission since October. — Additional reporting by Rapule Tabane