Manyi: Comparison of different newspapers ‘absurd’
Former government communications boss Mzwanele Manyi has defended the R6,3 million spent on advertising at The New Age newspaper.
Manyi returned to the commission on Thursday to continue his testimony.
He returned after accusing the commission on Wednesday of ambushing him as he did not have adequate time to prepare.
Manyi was Themba Maseko's successor at GCIS following Maseko's axing.
Maseko claims he was fired due to his refusal to spend money at the Gupta-owned newspaper.
Advocate Kate Hofmeyr produced a comparison of prices given to national newspapers for advertisement, saying between 2010 and 2011 TNA received R6,3 million. This was second only to the Sunday Times, which received R8,4 million.
Hofmeyr posed the question: "Why would it (TNA) in its first year, given the concern raised about circulation and it's readership still command the second-highest spend within GCIS?"
Manyi responded saying the comparison between the Sunday Times and TNA was ludicrous, because the Sunday Times only distributed once a week.
"I'm happy that you picked up Sunday which in fact is a good example of how people distort comparisons,” he said.
"Sunday Times is a once-in-seven days newspaper. New Age is a five-day newspaper. Why would you want to compare a newspaper what you spend on your once-in-seven days newspaper to what you spend on a five day?
"The comparison is absurd, totally absurd."