15 June 2007
The SACP is outraged at the decision of the PSL to award the right to broadcast soccer matches to Supersport. This decision is totally insensitive, if not outright provocative, to the millions of soccer loving South Africans.
The awarding of broadcast rights for soccer to Supersport is in essence tantamount to the privatisation of soccer broadcast, thus depriving millions of soccer lovers of coverage. Millions of our people rely on SABC radio for instance in following soccer.
This decision by the PSL is also an act of continuing enrichment of the very same old white capitalist class which owns Supersport, now joined by a handful of black elites, directly at the expense of the overwhelming majority of our people.
Awarding the rights to Supersport whilst the arbitration process between the PSL and SABC is underway and ignoring numerous calls that have been made by the public to find an amicable solution to the process, demonstrates the extent to which the PSL has been conducting themselves in bad faith in the negotiations.
We call upon the PSL to reverse this decision with immediate effect, and return to finalise negotiations with the SABC.
On the one hand the nature of the deal has exposed the extent to which we need to urgently mobilise for the total empowerment of the Public Broadcaster to be able to meet the needs of the majority of South Africans. We cannot continue to leave the issue of funding of the Public Broadcaster to advertising revenue. Equally, the truth of the matter is that SABC has limited resources to air in a balanced way to the nation the various sporting codes in a fair and balanced manner.
It is for this reason that the SACP also uses this opportunity to reiterate its call for the Public Broadcaster to be predominantly funded through public funds.
The SACP will continue to mobilise various stakeholders to take up the issue robustly with the PSL in the interest of the public, especially the workers and the poor who are followers of soccer in our country.
Issued by the SACP.
For information Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson
082 226 1802