Dentlinger coverage 'pure racism' - #NotInMyName
Civil rights organisation #NotInMyName is set to visit eNCA offices in Hyde Park on Friday to register concerns over what it believes to be structural racism at the station.
eNCA reporter Lindsay Dentlinger has come under for asking black politicians to wear their masks during interviews, while not doing the same when speaking to their white male counterparts.
In a statement released by the news channel, it concluded that her conduct was not racially motivated or done with malicious intent.
However, #NotInMyName president Siya Jentile has described Dentlinger’s coverage as “pure racism”.
"While some sections on social media have called it her ‘unconscious racial bias’, we at #NotInMyName raise our hand among those calling for explanation and action from the broadcaster – which we hold in esteem as a responsible and proudly South African institution.
"In the event which has sparked the current furore, after the Budget Speech at Parliament on Wednesday, Dentlinger allowed leader of the Freedom Front Plus Pieter Groenewald to talk on camera without a mask.
"However, the same treatment was verbally and strictly not allowed when UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa. Honourable Kwankwa was sternly told by the eNCA reporter to put his face mask, before the journalist started asking him questions.
“Media reports indicate that the row has been exacerbated when a clip of a similar incident, also involving Lindsay Dentlinger, was uploaded on social media.”
