South African broadcaster in censorship storm before local vote

Demonstrators protest against the decision by public broadcaster the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that it would not broadcast scenes of violent protest, in Cape Town, South Africa, July 1, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - When the acting boss of South Africa's public broadcaster stepped down this month, he said he had deliberately limited reporting on one of the main opposition parties.

Jimi Matthews' comments added to concerns among opposition politicians, activists and the public that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was being used as a state propaganda tool less than four weeks from local elections that are expected to be the most closely-contested in two decades.