National
Friends of SABC journalists raise more than R200 000 in 24 hours─── CATHY DLODLO 11:15 Wed, 20 Jul 2016
Johannesburg - The fund - Friends of SABC journalists – that was set up in support of the SABC 8, has raised more than R287 000 so far in just 24 hours.
Until an hour ago a total of 261 people responded to the call for donations to assist the eight South African journalists who lost their jobs for standing up for media freedom.
The fund was set up by News24 editor, Adriaan Basson, on Generosity.com. Thandeka Gqubule‚ Foeta Krige‚ Lukhanyo Calata‚ Suna Venter‚ Busisiwe Ntuli‚ Krivani Pillay‚ Vuyo Mvoko and Jacques Steenkamp lost their jobs at the SABC after they spoke out against a decision by the public broadcaster’s COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng‚ not to cover violent protests on the news.
In a statement on the website, Basson called on South Africans who “value media freedom and deeply care about the state of journalism in the country” to crowd-source money.
He said despite protests, statements and columns written to support them, the jobless journalists will still have to pay their bills at the end of the month. The money raised will be divided equally between the eight.
OFM News
