South Africa's 24-hour news channel, the eNCA (DStv 403) has just come out in full support of American president Barack Obama and a possible second term with the eNCA anchor Macfarlane Moleli saying Barack Obama "deserves another term".
Until now the eNCA news channel has been impartial and has not taken a decidedly conservatively right or liberally left news slant like the Fox News Channel or MSNBC in America. Not only is the eNCA now editorialising the news, it now also appears that the eNCA is leaning left and supporting America's Democratic Party.
Macfarlane Moleli just told co-anchor Eleni Giokos, "now you understand why I'm wearing my red tie today right?" [The colour of the Democratic Party in America which is having its election conference today in America.]
Macfarlane Moleli told viewers that "Barack Obama deserves another term - I mean, from the mess that was left before that! He deserves another chance."
It's unheard of for a news anchor on television in South Africa to make such an outspoken, editorialised statement in a news bulletin - it's even more shocking that it would happen on the eNCA which claims impartiality and objectivity.
Macfarlane Moleli openly endorsing Barack Obama on the eNCA air in a news bulletin has far-reaching implications for the news channel.
What are viewers to make of subsequent eNCA coverage of the upcoming American election? Is the eNCA biased towards the Democrats and Barack Obama? Through what lens if the eNCA giving and bringing that news to viewers if an eNCA news anchor is openly declaring who he supports - and using eNCA airwaves to do that?
The eNCA didn't immediately respond with comment to questions about the startling comments made by Macfarlane Moleli.
