The SA Broadcasting Corporation said on Thursday it would meet with political parties in November to discuss the 2009 elections because it was concerned about pressure being placed on it.

SABC Board News Committee chairperson Bheki Khumalo said board members, senior editors, provincial editors and executive producers met following pressure from political parties and allegations of bias.

The board meeting decided to meet with political parties before the end of November to discuss preparations for the 2009 elections as well as other concerns parties had.

The meeting also heard about threats levelled against some journalists and of news staff being subjected to verbal abuse by politicians.

"The SABC Board is extremely concerned by this external pressure and believes that it has the potential to seriously undermine the editorial independence of the news division," Khumalo said.

"Executive Producers, in particular, complained about the pressure that they are being subjected to by political parties and other individuals, and were of the view that this would escalate as we get closer to the elections."

Khumalo defended the integrity of SABC staff and in its editorial process.

The SABC, however, he said, acknowledged there could be operational challenges in the news room and would consider legitimate complaints from political parties and from the public.

The meeting also decided that the broadcaster would contract other independent companies to conduct independent monitoring of its election coverage.

A complaints office was being established that would be able to deal with all complaints within three days. The details of the office would be released later.

The SABC would launch an internal campaign to ensure that its employees knew and understood its internal charter, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) regulations and the editorial code in terms of election coverage and news broadcasts.

Khumalo said the board recognised that individuals had a right to political views but that there was no place for party activism or factionalism in the news room.

"Action will be taken against anyone employed who promotes political activism and factionalism within the news room," Khumalo said.

The board would protect its editorial team from "political parties or individuals who issue threats or abuse — verbally or otherwise to any of our editorial staff," Khumalo concluded.

Sapa