by Thinus Ferreira
Environmental activists have laid a complaint at the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) against eNCA (DStv 403), alleging that the South African TV news channel from eMedia is biased in its news coverage about Shell's seismic ocean tests.
The environmental group says in its complaint that eNCA is in the wrong as a TV news channel for not declaring its corporate interests, and also has a conflict of interest since Johnny Copelyn is eMedia Holding's non-executive chairperson and the non-executive chairperson of Impact Oil and Gas, that is a Shell partner.
eMedia in response to a media query seeking comment told TVwithThinus that "The matter
is currently with the BCCSA so we are not in a position to comment yet until
the ruling on the matter".
The environmental group in its complaint alleges that eNCA has been doing one-sided reporting on Shell and Impact Oil and Gas' seismic shock plans on the South African coast.
Johnny Copelyn is the non-executive chairperson of eMedia Holdings with eNCA that falls under eMedia.
Johnny Copelyn is also the non-executive chairperson of Hoskins Consolidated Investments (HCI) with HCI the majority shareholder in eMedia.
Furthermore Johnny Copelyn is the non-executive chairperson of Impact Oil and Gas, a partner of Shell. HCI is also the biggest shareholder in Impact Oil and Gas.
In its complaint, the environmental group wants eNCA to apologise to DStv subscribers for not declaring eNCA's conflict of interest in the Shell seismic shock reporting, and to explain Johnny Copelyn's corporate involvement.
The group also wants the BCCSA to level a fine of R80 000 against eNCA.
This past Friday members of the Extinction Rebellion public pressure group held a protest at the eNCA headquarters in Dunkeld-West in Johannesburg, demanding that the TV news channel report on eNCA's alleged conflict of interest in the Shell seismic shock operations "without fear or favour".
