Pretoria - Government is "appalled and disappointed" that E-TV censored visuals showing Advocate Gcina Malindi breaking down in tears during the South Gauteng High Court proceedings relating to The Spear portrait, says Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
"The role of the media, with particular reference to television, is to show visuals that inform and educate society. Government believes that in this particular instance, E-TV was bias and failed to broadcast a true reflection of the court proceedings," it added.
Advocate Malindi broke down after judges questioned his legal arguments.
"E-TV censored the visuals that would have shown his deep pain and emotion, that expressed the culmination of the sentiment of humiliation and denigration of the dignity of President Jacob Zuma, his office and the African culture that is shared by millions of South Africans," GCIS said.
