‘ANN7 decision will have a devastating impact on workers’
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has warned that the decision by MultiChoice not to renew ANN7’s contract will have a devastating impact on workers and their families.
MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela announced the decision on Wednesday, following controversy over the multi-million rand contract it signed with the former Gupta-owned news channel.
The CWU’s Aubrey Tshabalala says the local media industry is already shrinking, meaning it won’t be easy for ANN7 workers to find alternative employment.
He also believes there are inconsistencies in the reasons given by MultiChoice for not renewing ANN7's contract.
"The fact that they say they want to deal with corruption and everything associated with it, however in their statement they say nothing is irregular with their payment to ANN7."
Tshabalala says those responsible for the mess must be held accountable.
Meanwhile, The South African National Editor's Forum' (Sanef) chairperson Mahlatse Mahlase says they will interrogate MultiChoice’s statement further, as the decision could have a serious impact on media freedom.
"Our immediate thoughts are with the station's journalists who had nothing to do with the dealings and decisions of the corporate arm of the company."
Mahlase says they want further clarification on MultiChoice’s statement that the probe revealed no corruption, but only mistakes made by their executives.
"We hope that MultiChoice's decision was not influenced by the latest developments in the political landscape and by complaints by people who do not approve of the channel's stated political preferences.”