by Thinus Ferreira
eNCA (DStv 403) that has come under fire after viewers noticed how black politicians at parliament were asked to wear their Covid-19-masks but white, maskless politicians didn't get similar instructions blamed it on the pressures of "live television" that a reporter with 21 years of experience was under and says that its reporter isnt racist and that the apparent double standard is not because of "malicious intent".
The reporter Lindsay Dentlinger of the eMedia Investments TV news channel did a series of interviews on the steps of parliament during South Africa's 2021 Budget Speech where viewers noticed a pattern in which white politicians were seemingly treated differently from the rest during interactions with eNCA.
Pieter Groenewald, the Freedom Front Plus leader and a white man, wasn't wearing a mask but wasn't told anything, while Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM deputy president, was told to please put his mask on.
More examples followed of maskless white men followed by black men with masks and told to make sure their mask also cover their nose as well, which led to eNCA being accused of racial bias.
eNCA was asked multiple times for comment on Thursday and finally responded over the reporter's alleged inconsistent behaviour with a statement at 22:02 on Thursday night, saying "eNCA understands how an excerpt
of Lindsay Dentlinger’s coverage could have created a space for general public
conjecture".
"However, eNCA management, after meeting with Dentlinger to
discuss the matter concluded that her conduct was not racially motivated or
with malicious intent."
eNCA said that Lindsay Dentlinger "is a seasoned
journalist with over 21 years of experience, 9 of which has been with eNCA. In
her tenure with eNCA, she has primarily focused on political news".
"Having
worked in print, radio and television, Dentlinger has interviewed many
high-profile politicians from all sectors and parties without anyone calling
her conduct into question. This incident represents an inaccurate and unfair
image of her work."
John Bailey, eNCA managing editor, said that "In an intense live broadcast environment like
the Budget Speech coverage, our journalists are under pressure to remain
compliant while delivering fair, accurate and balanced news."
"When it comes to adherence to Covid-19
protocols, eNCA has broadcast extensive content to educate viewers while
journalists are regularly urged to ensure that they and all interviewees remain
compliant."
Norman Munzhelele, eNCA managing director, in the statement said that "After carefully analyzing the situation, we
understand that given the pressure of the live TV environment such unplanned
occurrences can occur."
"Through our deliberations, we have found that there is
no mal intent on the part of the journalist. We further found that the way the
journalist and eNCA has been perceived through this incident is unfair and not
a true reflection of the journalist or our channel."
"We also appreciate the
sensitivity of the matter and people’s concerns and reaffirm our commitment to
encouraging compliance with regulations designed to inhibit transmission of
Covid-19 across our population irrespective of race, colour or creed."
The UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, in a strongly worded letter to eNCA's top execs on Thursday, slammed the channel and asked "Is eNCA serious about its message of non-racialism?"
"This appalling incident happened on a live eNCA broadcast for the world to see. The message wasn't lost: White South Africans are 'Covid-safe' and black South Africans are not".
"The UDM is perturbed by eNCA and Lindsay Dentlinger's blatant insult not only to the person of our deputy president but also by this culture of thoughtless racism."
"Like it or not, eNCA has in the past been criticised for showing a racial bias and this recent incident has cemented this perception. The mere fact that eNCA has been mum regarding this incident, since yesterday, seems to mean that eNCA is happy with its reputation."
"eNCA has the responsibility to uphold journalistic standards and integrity, as well as the code of conduct for broadcasters as it has fallen short in this instance. It should itself accountable."
"Lindsay Dentlinger and eNCA owe Nqabayomzi Kwanka, the UDM and all past eNCA interviewees of colour an unequivocal and sincere apology, as well as an undertaking that this practice will stop effective immediately".
The EFF political party in a statement said that it "notes with disgust the racist news agency eNCA's racial profiling of members of parliament, which resulted in rude and racially motivated instructions of who must wear a mask".
The EFF said that "the actions of the journalist at eNCA vindicate the EFF's position that there is a culture of racism and factionalist at eNCA where the disrespect of black people thrives. The rot a eNCA is so deep that white individuals perpetuate a culture of hate and discrimination against black people boldly in the public domain".
