Pretoria - The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) and the Portfolio Committee on Communications have agreed to an out-of- court settlement regarding their dispute relating to the committee's closed meeting with the SABC.
On 24 August, the SABC board was to appear before the committee to discuss an apparent corporate governance crisis within the board. The board had been asked to report on its revised turnaround strategy for the SABC, the functionality of the board as well as the controversy relating to head of news and current affairs Phil Molefe's appointment.
The committee meeting, however, was closed and members of the media were barred entering. Journalists felt that because the SABC is the public broadcaster the meeting should be open.
At the time SANEF obtained an Interim Order prohibiting the committee from meeting behind closed doors with the SABC board.
According to a statement issued by Ismail Vadi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Mondli Makhanya, Chairperson of SANEF, in terms of the agreement reached on Tuesday, the committee will schedule an open meeting with the SABC board to discuss the functionality of the board, the appointment of the Group Executive: News and Current Affairs and the corporation's turn-around strategy.
In turn, SANEF has undertaken not to proceed further with its application at the Western Cape High Court.
SANEF and Parliament will each bear their own legal costs.
