ANC calls for further investigations into allegations at eNCA
The ANC has called on authorities to embark on a market analysis process at eNCA to probe issues such as racism and pay parity at the national TV station.
The ruling party released a statement on Thursday also expressing its concern over allegations of editorial interference and censorship at eNCA.
Earlier, the SA National Editors Forum (SANEF) said they had called for an urgent meeting with management of eNCA after a series of comments on Twitter by political journalist, Samkele Maseko.
Amongst others, Maseko has accused eNCA news boss, Kanthan Pillay, of censoring journalists and stories.
Maseko resigned from eNCA earlier this week.
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Skinner says they welcome the fact that Maseko has agreed to approach Judge Kathleen Satchwell and the Media Ethics and Credibility Inquiry to discuss these issues further. Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says in a statement the party has been reliably informed that eNCA placed Khayelihle Khumalo on suspension for tweeting about the EFF elective conference from his personal account.
The ANC is accusing Pillay of gross violation of human rights after he compared journalists leaving eNCA, to rats.
In its statement, the ANC says while the media demands its freedom to discharge its responsibilities, it equally has a responsibility to respect other peoples’ right to freedom of speech.
“We would like to remind Mr Pillay that media executives are not above the constitution and he should therefore conduct himself in a manner that upholds constitutional democracy at all times. The principle of equality applies to all in South Africa,” says the ANC in the statement.
The ANC is also calling on alliance partner, Cosatu, to step into the fray at eNCA.
“We also call on trade unions, particularly COSATU, to champion the process of safeguarding workers' right at ENCA and any other media institution,” says the ANC.
Furthermore, the ANC wants a broader investigation into the state of journalism in the country.
“The ANC calls on the Press Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission to investigate the abuse of journalists in various newsrooms and the possible violation of media ethics which appear to be prevalent across many newsrooms. The suppression of journalists in the newsrooms and the deafening silence is tantamount to the silencing of press freedom which the media demands but dismally fail to uphold in relation to their own journalists,” concludes the statement.
eNCA made news for all the wrong reasons. We will never tolerate victimisation of anyone. We do not condone or tolerate censorship. @janedutton and @xolimngambi have all the latest news on #SAMorning Courtesy #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/DQYblaemig
— eNCA (@eNCA) December 20, 2019