South Africa's public broadcaster wants to keep proceedings of disciplinary hearing of its SABC news boss Phathiswa Magopeni secret as lawyers for South African National Editors Forum and CFE demand that media be allowed to attend.

by Thinus Ferreira

While South Africa's public broadcaster wants to keep the proceedings and what is being said and revealed in the upcoming disciplinary hearing of its SABC news boss Phathiswa Magopeni secret, lawyers for the South African National Editors' Forum and the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) are now taking action and demanding that the media be allowed to attend.

Phathiswa Magopeni who said she is scared and is being hounded out of the SABC, said that the SABC chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini and SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe are both guilty of direct editorial interference in the operations of SABC News after they asked for SABC News to do an interview with ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa during the election campaigning period before the recent municipal elections.

Phathiswa Magopeni responded after she was slapped with a disciplinary hearing - set for 17 December that looks like it's a SABC witch-hunt - for allegedly bringing the SABC into disrepute and for alleged negligence. 

It comes after an episode about tow trucking was broadcast in November on Special Assignment while a court interdict was in effect against the investigative magazine show.

Gugu Ntuli, SABC spokesperson, initially wouldn't comment on the latest SABC and SABC News scandal about alleged editorial interference.

Last week the SABC finally responded only to say it won't comment on the case, with the SABC board noting that it takes Phathiswa Magopeni's allegations of editorial interference at SABC News "seriously".

Now the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) and the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) are demanding that the media is given access to Phathiswa Magopeni's disciplinary hearing, and that the hearing takes place openly and transparently.

"An open and transparent process will not only assist the public to make up its mind on the case, but it will also aid the SABC to dispel the perception that the process is part of a political witch-hunt," says Sbu Ngalwa, Sanef chairperson.

 

"Sanef reiterates its respect for the SABC's internal processes and being able to hold staff accountable - hence we are not calling for the disciplinary action to be abandoned but rather for it to be open to the public as the issues at hand are a matter of great public interest."

Anton Harber, CFE executive director, says "Too much is at stake for this to happen behind closed doors".

"Phathiswa Magopeni has said that she is being hounded out because she has resisted political interference. We need the public to see if this is a return to the days when factional politics dominated the SABC and buried its public service mandate."

Lawyers for Sanef and CFE have written to the chair of the hearing, Advocate Nazeer Cassim, to ask that the media be allowed to attend the proceedings. 

Nazeer Cassim has asked the Sanef and CFE legal team to argue the case for openness when the hearing begins on 17 December. 

The SABC has already refused a Sanef request to open the hearings and are therefore expected to oppose the call for openness and transparency.

"The South African public broadcaster is no ordinary employer," Sanef and CFE say in a media statement.

"The public broadcaster plays a unique role in South Africa’s deliberative democracy, which it can either foster or undermine. Phathiswa Magopeni's grievance squarely impugns the SABC's impartiality and independence."

"Whether she indeed acted negligently in breaching a court order is a matter of public interest."

"The SABC has been on the right course to restore its public service values and to reverse the damage caused by years of political interference and manipulation. As a society we must be vigilant to prevent this from happening again.

ALSO READ: Scared SABC News boss Phathiswa Magopeni details shocking allegations of editorial interference by SABC chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini and CEO Madoda Mxakwe who pressured for ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa to do an election interview.

ALSO READ: SABC board says its takes SABC News boss Phathiswa Magopeni's allegations of editorial interference atSABC News of SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe and SABC chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini 'seriously' but 'won't comment further at this stage'.

ANC politician Jessie Duarte lashes out at eNCA reporter Samkele Maseko in an ugly rant at a press briefing after telling SABC News to switch their camera off.

Jessie Duarte, the ANC political party's deputy secretary-general in South Africa, on Tuesday afternoon lashed out in an ugly rant at the eNCA (DStv 403) reporter Samkele Maseko with the shocking verbal tirade that immediately went viral and lead to massive coverage on eNCA as well as SABC News (DStv 404) and across other media in the country.

The SABC's SABC News division, broadcasting the shocking incident from its own camera angle, revealed how Jessie Duarte told the SABC to turn its camera off before she launched into her attack on eNCA and Samkele Maseko.

The SABC not only kept its camera rolling but also broadcast how Jessie Duarte told the SABC to switch its camera off on Tuesday evening.

At the ANC press briefing Jessie Duarte laid into Samkele Maseko, slamming him as "the worst bully I've ever come across", saying he was "arrogantly disposed" and that he believes he is "the lord of media".

Jessie Duarte in her tirade criticised Samkele Maseko for trying to "defend freedom of speech you've never fought for".

"Mr Samkele, you have a habit of intimidating everybody, you have a habit of making people feel that you are the lord of the media, you are one journalist, you work for one eNCA and you think all of us must shiver and shake," said a finger-waving Jessie Duarte.

"You call me me a bully but you are the worst bully I've ever come across. I've never met anyone as arrogantly disposed as you are and you want to defend freedom of speech you've never fought for."

"And you don't defend freedom of speech because your particular TV station has decided the direction it will go on as it did in 2016 you followed the DA slogan of 'vote for change'."

"So what do you want us to do? To bow and scrape every time you walk into a room and call you my lord, the lord of the media? You are just a journalist just as I am just a citizen, nothing more, nothing less. Yes, this is personal," said Jessie Duarte.

Video surfaced on Tuesday afternoon of a caustic Jessie Duarte in 2017 berating a CNBC Africa (DStv 410 / Cell C black 512) reporter in a similar on-camera meltdown.

In a statement issued by the ANC afterwards the political party said that it "has noted the one-sided and biased story given by the eNCA on the interaction between Samkelo Maseko" and Jessie Duarte and that "Samkele Maseko engaged in an unacceptable and unprofessional outburst".

The ANC said that "Jessie Duarte reiterates her commitment to freedom of the media and editorial independence which has been championed by the ANC for many years".

"Jessie Duarte today really sounded like Donald Trump," Anton Harber, Caxton Professor of Journalism at Wits University told Open News on Tuesday evening about the ANC deputy secretary-general verbal attack on the eNCA reporter.

Anton Harber told eNCA that "I'm very concerned because Jessie Duarte is so far out of line that, she really needs to be pulled back into place. She seems to think that she can dictate who asks what questions and fails to recognise the role of the media and her duty".

"She seemed to be upset about the hard questions. And we're saying, well, journalists must ask hard questions. That's the whole point, Kate Skinner, executive director at the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) told SABC News in an interview on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday morning the SABC's Morning Live show featured and interviewed both Samkele Maseko and Kate Skinner.

Morning Live anchor Leanne Manas told viewers that the ANC political party's spokesperson and Jessie Duarte have both gone underground. "Please answer your phones. We want to talk to you."

eNCA journalists to court in Port Elizabeth after they were allegedly assaulted at Pastor Omotoso's church trying to report on alleged human-trafficking.

eNCA journalists will appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrate's court today after claiming they were assaulted on 20 April at a church while trying to do report on the arrest of the church's pastor.

eNCA editor-in-chief Anton Harber will be in Port Elizabeth today as well to support the 24-hour TV news channel's journalists.

Anton Harber says the assault on eNCA journalists are "part of a pattern of harassment and pressure on journalists that stems from parliament and the police and now even ordinary citizens".

According to The Herald  eNCA reporter Sandy McCowen (42), cameraman Nceba Ntlanganiso (42) and freelance journalist Norhi Manona (44) claim they were attacked by members of the Jesus Dominion International Church branch in North End when they went there following the arrest of the church pastor Tim Omotoso last month.

Interestingly a counter-claim of assault was filed against the journalists.

Pastor Tim Omotoso will get the opportunity to apply for bail on Wednesday after his arrest. He was allegedly transporting girls and women from his church to Umhlanga Rocks and allegedly sexually exploited them.

Tim Omotoso faces two counts of human-trafficking and two counts of sexual assault.

NIGHTY-NIGHT. Co-anchor duo Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti are both leaving eNCA's flagship NewsNight and prime time - here's why.

It's over for the best co-anchor TV news duo on South African television with Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti on eNCA not just leaving their seats behind the NewsNight oval glass desk and next to each other but also getting out of prime time after they've both had enough.

The dismantling of how eNCA (DStv 403) used to look and what it used to be continues with the co-anchors of its flagship nightly news broadcast, Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti both leaving NewsNight by the end of next month.

The widely respected news duo have been eNCA's co-joined prime time faces for the past five years, with their imminent big exit being the latest visible eNCA on-air disruption, part of the ongoing sea change taking place behind-the-scenes at the eMedia Investment run channel.

eNCA (DStv 403) hasn't named an anchor replacement or replacements for the nightly two and a half hour show done from e.tv's Hyde Park newsplex in Johannesburg in which Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti showed and shared great personal on-air rapport.

The beloved duo's on-air chemistry in the age of 24-hour TV news channels was exceptionally rare - especially for often-dull and dry, cookie cutter South African television news broadcasts and harkened back to the heydey of when M-Net's Carte Blanche with co-hosts Derek Watts and Ruda Landman would successfully banter with each other in a way that drew viewers more than into just a show, but into a news conversation.

"Both Jeremy and Iman have been key to the success of eNCA," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director. "We thank them for their loyalty, hard work and brilliance in bringing powerful news stories to our screens. This is a big change for the channel and our viewers, but also an opportunity to showcase talent in our newsroom and beyond".

Jeremy Maggs, the former Who Wants to be a Millionaire? SA host, who anchored NewsNight since its debut on eNCA 9 years ago, asked to be moved to an earlier timeslot on the channel.

Jeremy Maggs will be anchoring the lunchtime show Newsday from May that used to be done from Cape Town for years before eNCA management abruptly downsized the newsblock's operation by firing staff and moving the show to Johannesburg since November 2016.

Jeremy Maggs will also continue to do his marketing, media and advertising magazine show Maggs on Media broadcast on Sundays on eNCA.

Iman Rappetti who started out in earlier eNCA timeslots before landing the plum prime time timeslot is exiting eNCA after 11 years to get out of night time for family reasons.

While still the most polished of the three South African TV news channels and boasting the highest viewership under TV news channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, eNCA has been battered the past two years as it scaled down its once lofty news ambitions while it dramatically cut back on current affairs programming, abandoned its attempts at first-hand Africa coverage, shed news staff and reduced its on-air hours of live shows.

Although Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti the past few years often no longer co-anchored together, with both taking solo turns on several weeknights and both abandoning Friday nights on eNCA, NewsNight, despite its faults, remained the best produced general nightly news show on South African television.

eNCA's NewsNight anchor changes come as the struggling Gupta-owned, Infinity Media's ANN7 (DStv 405) rolls along with an unsteady and ever-changing revolving door of prime time anchors, and as the beleaguered SABC's SABC News (DStv 404) channel lost its prime time co-anchor Vabakshnee Chetty-Miller in January this year next to Peter Ndoro after she emigrated to America following the birth of her first child and maternity leave.

"It has been a heady, tough, rewarding, crazy ride," says Iman Rappetti. "Thank you for the gifts of professionalism, a platform to shine and unwavering support. The decision to leave is not an easy one but I need to put my family first."

Anton Harber, eNCA editor-in-chief says "Iman has contributed enormously to our success and is part of our channel's history. We are very sad to see her go".

Jeremy Maggs says that "after anchoring well over 1 000 editions of NewsNight it's high time I pass on the baton to a new team and get home a little earlier in the evening".

"I've been in discussion with the channel about this move for the past year and management has been both understanding and sensitive to my need for a change. I want to pay special tribute to Iman, my co-host for the past five years. Every night on-air together has been a treat".

BREAKING. eNCA abruptly cancels Meet the Media with Eusebius McKaiser without any explanation; says 'the show has served its purpose'.

It cannot be that it happened because he dared to wear a doek, but eNCA (DStv 403) has abruptly decided to cancel its well-received new local weekly media review show, Meet the Media with Eusebius McKaiser - without any explanation as to why, saying "the show has served its purpose".

The Sunday morning, Hyde Park studio set media overview show that started a few months ago has abruptly been dumped by eNCA where Anton Harber is editor-in-chief, in a move seen as further denting the news channel's already horrific track-record with culling what's left of its current affairs programming slate.

In a terse statement about the abrupt cancellation of Meet the Media, eNCA simply says the show has "ended its current season on eNCA. In the new year, eNCA will be exploring new concepts for their programming to align with 2017's political calendar. eNCA looks forward to working with Eusebius on new projects in 2017".

eNCA was asked why it decided to cancel Meet the Media and why eNCA conceptualised and put a show on the air for just a few months if it didn't believe in the show.

"As indicated in the release we are conceptualising new ideas for the channel in 2017 and these will be announced before the end of February," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus.

"We feel the show has served its purpose for the period intended. We feel there is a better way to use Eusebius' skills on our channel in the future".

Meet the Media was birthed during an extremely difficult year for electronic news gathering in South Africa that saw censorship from the SABC's TV news division, public broadcasting TV journalists who got crucified for trying to do their jobs, as well as the most journalists being fired in one year collectively at ANN7 (DStv 405), SABC News and eNCA - with internal controversy inside their newsrooms and several public protests in 2016 at the doors of each of the news outlets.

In just a few months Meet the Media brought a new and soothing panacea to a battered South African journalism community - a place where reflection and introspection about local media and journalism issues could breathe.

While Media Monitor on Sundays with Alicia Jali on SABC News (DStv 404) blatantly ignores certain hot potato media issues it doesn't want to highlight or discuss and while the controversial SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng in 2016 banned the showing and discussion of newspapers and even the mentioning of newspaper headlines and stories on SABC television and radio, Meet the Media weekly rejoiced, celebrated and showed not just newspaper front pages but the varied journalists and editors behind it.

Besides talking about the week's big news and South African newspaper stories, looking at news biases and journalism challenges within the South African press and media sphere, Eusebius McKaiser and Meet the Media made an authentic and deeply meaningful effort to do weekly, focused media discussions.

These ran the gamut from things like LGBT and faith issues, to political journalism, consumer and economics journalism, sport journalism, talk radio, newsroom juniorisation, lack of news gathering resources and the challenges faced by community journalism.

Talking to real electronic and print journalists and giving them face and airtime - from the biggest outlets and publications to the smallest community radio stations - Eusebius McKaiser and Meet the Media highlighted various aspects, the different types of journalism and bringing attention to some of the crucial issues the ordinary public consuming news and media are not aware of.

Not in years on South African television, until Meet the Media did it a few months ago, did viewers see something like an on-air discussion on how journalists covering cases of sexual violence feel themselves, cope, and handle the ethical issues around their reporting.

Meet the Media was quickly as agenda-setting in its nature and turned into can't-miss viewing for media types as it was reflective of exactly how the interconnected cogs of the local media sphere turn.

It's Meet the Media - not Carte Blanche - where the SABC's acting CEO Jimi Matthews who had just quit made his very first - and dramatic - on-air TV appearance.

It's Meet the Media where South African viewers got a glimpse of how truly diverse the country's press and journalism corps is despite the many challenges that still exists regarding transformation and race issues.

On a weekly basis, media glitterati from Ferial Haffajee and John Perlman to Stephen Grootes, Mandy Wiener and Wendy Knowler shared the Meet the Media stage with a full spectrum media coterie that ranged from Muslim women, gay men and TV producers to white legacy newspaper editors and black female talk radio hosts - all unified in trying to tell the ever-unfolding South African story.  

Not since the 1990's well-respected Between the Lines on the SABC that was eventually cancelled has South African television truly had an unvarnished and uncensored media navel-gazing show like Meet the Media - one that eNCA abruptly cancelled because "the show has served its purpose".

Together with Carte Blanche on M-Net and the newly added Reliable Sources on CNN International (DStv 401) this year, Meet the Media helped to transform Sunday television into the most meta-media day of the week, now only leaving the more advertising and marketing centric Maggs on Media on eNCA on Sundays.

While it's clear that there wasn't editorial interference into the actual content and discussions taking place inside the weekly half hour of Meet the Media, it's quite possible that Anton Harber, eNCA editors and top executives were rankled to differing degree - if they were watching - by some of the criticism levelled against eNCA itself in a few episodes.

The criticism however ironically served to only strengthen viewer perception about the credibility of Meet the Media to really get to grips with real media issues.

Some episodes of Meet the Media didn't single out eNCA specifically, but did include criticism of the eMedia Investments news channel - although the criticism came more in a way of searching for answers about the "why" of it and by example, looking for solutions.

Instances of where eNCA came in for criticism on eNCA itself through Meet the Media the past few months included it's lack of comprehensive coverage during the tertiary #FeesMustFall protests and its lack of aptly places field journalists outside major cities, juniorisation of the newsroom, how commercial broadcasting issues affect editorial decisions, as well as eNCA's shoddy use of off-the-mark Ipsos polling in the run-up to the municipal elections that created wrong perceptions with dubious research methodology that were not disclosed to viewers.

In the same vein Meet the Media also unintentionally served as a media showcase for things like eNCA's newsroom diversity, with its now last episode including Matuba Mahlatjie as a panelist who is a black male gay sangoma working inside the eNCA newsroom.

eNCA reporter Phakamile Hlubi resigns; slams 'suffocating' e.tv and eNCA newsroom management in open letter over racism, lack of transformation, salary gaps.

The eNCA (DStv 403) and eNews reporter Phakamile Hlubi of draped snake fame has quit the eMedia Investments news operation, giving behind-the-scenes insight into alleged staffer intimidation at the news operation as she slammed the "suffocating" news room management culture at eNCA and e.tv over what she calls racism, a lack of transformation and unfair salary gaps.

In her letter Phakamile Hlubi details staff intimidation and how eNCA staffers have allegedly been working "in an atmosphere of fear and bullying".

Phakamile Hlubi who could have gone quietly or without saying anything about e.tv and eNCA, deliberately chose to publicly blast eMedia Investments' TV news division.

Anton Harber, eNCA's editor-in-chief, says in a statement "We are saddened that Phakamile Hlubi shoud say these things as she leaves the company".

"Her comments have been proved incorrect time and again. While we are far from perfect, we can say unequivocally that we are driving a policy of anti-racism, equity and transformation in an open and accountable atmosphere - and will continue to do so".

In an open letter to eNCA staffers as part of her goodbye, Phakamile Hlubi reveals that senior management and the board "refused to grant us the right to form an employee forum in May last year. They made it clear that any structure which was advocating for workers' rights on the premises was unwelcome."

Phakamile Hlubi writes that eventually "for the first time in the history of e Media, the company was forced to engage with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), as ordered by the CCMA. This was unheard of in the past. As you know, many previous generations of workers  had tried to do what we did, with dire consequences."

Describing the eNews and eNCA newsroom as "suffocating", Phakamile Hlubi says eNCA staffers "were forced to operate in an atmosphere of fear and bullying. Those who stood up for their rights were silenced through victimization, or attempts were made to frustrate them into quitting".

"The success of the Doek Campaign speaks volumes about how far we have come as employees. For the first time workers at eNCA were emboldened enough to take a public stand against the company's dress code policy."

Phakamile Hlubi writes that there's been a "shift in mentality" in the eNews and eNCA newsroom management but that "much more needs to be done".

"There is no justification for a company like e.tv, which was formed after apartheid, to be implementing policies which are a reflection of the past."

"The role of journalists is to expose corruption and to speak truth to power. If you are in the news business, then you have to accept that your employees will hold you accountable for the decisions you make. We cannot claim to be an 'independent' media house if the people who work here are punished for speaking out."

Phakamile Hlubi in her open letter slams e.tv, eNews and eNCA saying "we still have many problems at e.tv: The lack of transformation,  racism, unjustifiable salary discrepancies amongst people who do the same work are just some of the problems which must be addressed".

"Anton Harber's appointment as editor-in-chief has brought an air of openness and engagement which was non-existent previously. When he took the position Harber promised to be a 'champion for transformation', and he has spent countless hours engaging employees".

"I urge the employees to continue engaging. But it must translate to action and real changes in the way we operate."

"I urge you to take Anton Harber on. If there is anything you are unhappy with, raise it. If you find your cries fall on deaf ears, fight for change."

Phakamile Hlubi writes that eNews and eNCA staffers "are not alone in our struggle. The response we have received from the public, and from political parties are proof that you are not alone."

"And you will no longer have to fight alone. The lack of a credible organisation to fight for the rights of journalists, means that we must lean on each other, and support each other, especially those journalists and media workers of our competitor."

Phakamile Hlubi says "I leave e.tv with no bitterness, in my heart. I fought a good fight because the constitution was the bedrock upon which I based this battle. All I have ever wanted is for the employees at e.tv to be and feel free."

EFF's Juju slams eNCA as 'racist' and claims biased election coverage reporting; eNCA says it does balanced reporting; will meet with the political party next week.

As sure as there's sunshine, there will always be another summer season on Clifton's beaches, another strike season as unions toyi-toyi during wage negotiation season, and then, of course, election season.

During this period - South Africans go to the polls on 3 August - the elections cycle is always filled with grandstanding and posturing from politicians and one weapon from their evergreen arsenal: attacks on the media.

The TV news channel eNCA (DStv 403) has come under fire from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party, with its leader Julius Malema that threatened the eMedia Investments channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform with mass action.

Julius Malema slammed eNCA for alleged biased election news coverage, saying on Twitter that "I think we should teach this racist eNCA a lesson by paying them a visit with the masses before elections because of their bias to the Democratic Alliance (DA)".

eNCA says its aware of Julius Malema's utterance, and says the news channel does balanced reporting.

"As an independent news service, eNCA is unequivocally committed to ensure that we treat all political parties fairly and provide our viewers with the balanced reporting they need to make informed voting decisions," says Anton Harber, eNCA's editor-in-chief.

"In addition, our election coverage is being monitored by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), an organisation that strives to ensure fair, free, quality and ethical journalism on the continent, and we will use their reports to ensure that we meet the highest possible standards of coverage".

"eNCA's management has arranged a meeting with the EFF next week and will present detailed data around the channel's fair coverage of the party," said Anton Harber.

EFF political party slams eNCA news channel on DStv over ban of the 'doek' as eNCA says its started 'an internal process' about on-air appearance policy.

The Economic Freedom Front (EFF) political party on Thursday slammed the eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform for its banning of female reporters wearing a "doek", as eNCA said it has started "an internal process" to relook its on-air appearance policy.

The doek drama exploded on Tuesday when eNCA reporter Nontobeko Sibisi in a scathing letter slammed her employer, alleging that an insert she did for Africa Day last Wednesday was canned because she appeared in it, wearing the head covering that's apparently not allowed.

eNCA has not been clear about whether this is the reason why Nontobeko Sibisi's story has been taken off air by a sub editor or whether its because something else was wrong with the story but the issue did ignite public comment - especially on Thursday from social media users.

In apparent solidarity with Nontobeko Sibisi, on Thursday eNCA anchor Iman Rappetti donned a red doek (not on air) while other eNCA reporters were seen in a doek selfie.

Meanwhile the EFF in a statement on Thursday said eNCA's banning of the doek is worse than the SABC's censorship of protest coverage on SABC News.

The EFF slammed eNCA for allegedly remaining "trapped in the colonial mode of aesthetic representation of black people" and that it's "a colonial anti-black racist denial of African aesthetic expression".

The EFF said that "eNCA is saying wearing a doek, which is a famous popular wear for African women, religious and otherwise, is not aesthetically befitting of television journalism. Thus, African women who choose to have the doek, must then feel incomplete or inferior for their aesthetic choices".

"eNCA must live with this fact and take the opportunity to transform even its aesthetic appearances to look like a television news program that is in Africa, by Africans and for Africans".

Prof. Anton Harber, editor-in-chief at eNCA says the news channel has "initiated an internal process to ensure our policy is in line with our corporate and national values, and that it embraces the diversity of our staff and audience."

"We look forward to a rich debate about how we do this, and are confident that it will enhance our news product".

BREAKING. eNCA staff unhappiness continues as reporter Nontobeko Sibisi slams eNCA for self-censorship after she's told her story's canned for wearing a 'doek'.

Ongoing staff unhappiness and resentment behind the scenes at eNCA (DStv 403) continue to make waves at the eMedia Investments 24-hour TV news channel where the arts and entertainment reporter Nontobeko Sibisi has lashed out at eNCA's self-censorship for canning her story in which she appears wearing an African head dress, also known as a "doek".

Nontobeko Sibisi, in a public letter to colleagues, lashed out at eNCA management, saying a sub editor told her that her story on Africa Day will not be broadcast and was dumped because she appears in it with a doek.

eNCA's shocking self-censoring ironically comes less than a week after eNCA's editor-in-chief Anton Harber slammed the SABC's decision to self-censor public protest coverage and said that people have a right to the full story. "We need to respect the intelligence of our audience and viewers," said Anton Harber.

Trend wise, Nontobeko Sibisi's letter interestingly comes, and continues, the new trend where news channel staff - some at eNCA over the past few months and several more occuring at Infinity Media's Gupta-owned ANN7 (DStv 405) - have berated their bosses over bad management decisions in letters that become public and damage the news channels' brands and reputations.

Nontobeko Sibisi's open letter is the latest in a string of incidents that's shedding a light on some of the persistent staff acrimony behind the scenes at eNCA where an ongoing atmosphere of unhappiness persists since eNCA's dramatic downsizing and staff exodus started just over a year ago.

In May Afrikaans reporters at eNCA for the eNuus service done for kykNET (DStv 144) resigned amidst claims of alleged bullying by a superior in the newsroom. Two are now going to return and the executive has been moved away with Freek Robinson taking over as acting head.

Over several years, and a continuing occurence on the channel, eNCA reporters have often embedded and made themselves part of the story - sometimes too much a part - with reporters who have appeared in a speedo while another even dangled and draped a snake around her.

With many more examples that exist in the eNCA video archives, Nontobeko Sibisi (known for her "Nonto Cam" stylistic add-on graphics in some of her filed stories) appearing with a head covering, had her story canned because her on-air look apparently went too far for eNCA bosses.

In February this year, a now fired eNCA technical director, also slammed eNCA and one of the allegations that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) made in Modise Morobane's case was that "black reporters are not allowed to wear 'doeks' or African head scarves on-air" at eNCA.

Nontobeko Sibisi slams eNCA for the "unjustifiable unjustice that happened to me in this [eNCA] newsroom", saying "because of 9 seconds of an about three minute piece I appear wearing a doek - the story was taken off air without my knowledge."

"I was informed of this decision by a sub editor in passing."

In the story Nontobeko Sibisi interviewed musicians from South Africa, Nigeria and Zimbabwe for Africa Day.

In the scathing letter Nontobeko Sibisi puts eNCA on public blast, slamming the news channel where she works for its alleged "lack of communication and the unprofessional channels taken" and as a place where wearing a head covering is "offensive enough to warrant a story being taken off air without any clear communicated justification".

"Some of us have been half naked on TV, in PJs, gowns, ballet tutu's, speedos, boxing gear, all fitting to a particular context – yet somehow a doek was offensive enough during a very significant and celebratory day and month in our continent," wrote Nontobeko Sibisi.

"There is unfairness, unprofessionalism, inconsistent application of the 'rules', an intentional lack of communication and and unjustifiable recourse."

"Personally this is one of the most shocking and gravely disappointing actions I've experienced at eNCA, during African celebrations - it's discomforting to watch happening in a country like ours, in an 'eFamily' newsroom, that 'encourages cultural diversity' ".

Nontobeko Sibisi said she found the incident "highly offensive" and wanted to "put it out there because this could happen to anyone and I genuinely believe we need all need to have serious, frank and open and transparent conversations".

 eNCA reporter Phakamile Hlubi who herself appeared with a snake once  said: "I'm appalled. This is completely unacceptable. eNCA's style guide is unAfrican and in my view unconstitutional. It needs to be rewritten".

"You can't tell me that in a country where respect for culture and religion is paramount in the constitution, an organisation can adopt a clothing policy that violates these rights".

TVwithThinus asked eNCA for comment late on Tuesday night.

Anton Harber, eNCA editor-in-chief says: "Having watched the insert, I have no problem with the headgear Nontobeko wore for her Africa Day piece".

"When I recently arrived at eNCA, one of the first things raised with me was a concern that our policy in this regard needed to be reviewed and updated".

"Our policy is a conventional television channel policy which discourages all kinds of headgear, including scarfs, alice bands, large ear-rings etc. It is clear that there are strong views on this among our staff and we have started a process to review the policy to embrace our country's diversity and the principles of our Constitution, and to give clarity on what is appropriate on air".

OVERHEARD. Is Monde Twala leaving as e.tv boss? Sources say Monde Twala has resigned and is exiting the broadcaster as e.tv channels managing director.

Has e.tv's Monde Twala resigned? SEE THE UPDATE TO THIS STORY BELOW.

That's what I've been hearing and what e.tv staff are wondering.

So far e.tv is quiet and hasn't responded to a media enquiry I made about it yesterday, asking e.tv if what the grapevine is buzzing about is indeed true.

A few days ago sources told TVwithThinus that Monde Twala, an accomplished and well-liked TV executive who is the managing director for e.tv channels division, has tendered his resignation at the red letter free-to-air broadcaster.

"It basically leaves Marlon Davids in charge," quipped a source. [The talented Marlon Davids has been e.tv's general manager for content, strategy and planning for the past year and a half.]

No word from e.tv on who would be replacing Monde Twala if the talented televisionary is moving on, that would add to the top management changes at eMedia Investments with Patrick Conroy becoming the new managing director of the OpenView HD satellite TV platform and prof. Anton Harber heading up eNCA (DStv 403) as editor-in-chief from March.

If Monde Twala leaves e.tv - where the last few years he's been overseeing a growing slate of channels, popular local soaps and a collection of steadily expanding local programming that strongly resonates with viewers - his exit will follow closely after the jump of Gideon Khobane who is leaving his Randburg office as the director of M-Net's general entertainment channels to become the new SuperSport CEO from March.

M-Net hasn't yet said who is replacing Gideon Khobane as M-Net's new director for its entertainment channels, telling me an announcement will be made soon.

The experienced Monde Twala joined e.tv from the SABC and was first the executive producer for the channel's soaps Backstage and Rhythm City, its now defunct breakfast show Morning Edition and eSibobo, before becoming group head for e.tv's channels and then getting the managing director title.

UPDATE: e.tv tells that Monde Twala has not resigned. He has received a possible job offer and is considering it.

eNCA news channel again accused of racism in an open letter; eNCA says it takes 'a dim view' of the allegations and will start disciplinary enquiry.

Angry eNCA (DStv 403) staff is once again accusing the 24-hour TV news channel on MultiChoice's DStv of racism, accusing eNCA in an open letter of preventing workers from organising and joining unions, and questioning why top executive positions are given to whites.

The open letter to John Copelyn, chairman of the eMedia Investments board and the Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) CEO comes after a similar letter that circulated company-wide through eNCA in September last year with allegations of racism, intimidation and victimisation.

The latest letter comes after the announcement that eMedia is making top executive changes, with eNCA news boss Patrick Conroy taking over the reigns of Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) free-to-air satellite service while the noted academic Prof Anton Harber will be taking over from 1 March as eNCA's new editor-in-chief.

eNCA remains the most watched by far of all of the local and international TV news channels available in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv and StarTimes Media South Africa's StarSat platforms.

John Copelyn is accused of creating "a clique of hand-picked managers" since taking over from Marcel Golding with the letter slamming the appointment of Prof Anton Harber who is the Caxton Professor of Journalism at the University of the Witwaterstand and who was a founder of the Weekly Mail (now the Mail & Guardian).

"We are aware that there is no dustbin for whites in your company, no wonder why racism is so rife and goes unpunished in this company".

The letter from an eNCA staff member was addressed to an executive, office bearer and shareholder representative and has circulated within the company and outside.

Vasili Vass, spokesperson tells TV with Thinus in response to the open letter that eMedia as the holding company of eNCA and e.tv "takes a dim view of this 'open letter' which appears deliberately intended to bring the group and its companies into disrepute".

"A letter which is defamatory, grossly untrue in many respects, inciteful and harmful has been penned and distributed."

"We will deal with the matter by holding a disciplinary enquiry into the letter and its allegations and in the circumstances do no propose to deal with its content any further in the media."

eMedia says it "has always operated in accordance with the law, the Labour Relations Act and the Constitution and will continue to do so. Recent management appointments have been made by the board of eMedia Investments to meet future opportunities and challenges of the media group and it stands by them".

eNCA's Patrick Conroy to head up OpenView HD, Anton Harber the new head of eNCA, while Maxwell Nonge appointed as new technology boss at eMedia Investments.

eMedia Investments is making executive changes with eNCA TV news channel boss Patrick Conroy taking over the reigns of Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) free-to-air satellite service, noted academic Anton Harber taking over as eNCA news boss, and OpenView HD boss Maxwell Nonge appointed as the group's overall chief technology officer.

All 3 appointments will become official from 1 March 2016. The group news editor position at eNCA is still empty.

eMedia (the former Seardel media group owned by Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI that changed its name in September 2015) is surprising the TV and news industry with the appointment of academic Anton Harber on a fixed term contract, the length of which isn't being specified, to now head up the electronic TV news service.

Anton Harber, in the role of editor-in-chief of eNCA, will take over from Patrick Conroy.

Anton Harber is the Caxton Professor of Journalism at the University of the Witwaterstand and was a founder of the Weekly Mail (now the Mail & Guardian).

e.tv's announcement of the three executive changes interestingly only notes a mentorship role that Anton Harber will be playing at eNCA and nothing business wise or business goals to be achieved like the other two.

eNCA's TV news offering, supplied as a TV news channel to MultiChoice's DStv where it remains the most watched TV news channel in South Africa, was severely cut back and reduced the last year with several programming strands and shows that were axed and journalists and on-air talent that left.

"Anton Harber's extensive experience in South African media will allow him to mentor and grow the future leaders of the television news industry," says eMedia in a statement, noting that "he is a seasoned journalist, experienced manager and highly respected professional".

Patrick Conroy is now moving to head up OpenView HD that now has 360 000 subscribers as becomes the new managing director.

He was asked to take over management of the Platco Digital satellite TV service to help it to make more money, to add ways to generate more income, and to exploit the existing TV content to market OpenView HD.

"Since 2005 Patrick Conroy has built a news company and management team which is world class. We believe he has the skills to capitalise on OpenView HD's success to date and also to build the platform's revenue generating opportunities. He will also look to explore a new content marketing opportunity which we believe is important to a rapidly evolving media environment".

Maxwell Nonge who headed up Platco Digital since the launch of OpenView HD in 2013 is now the group's new chief technology officer.

"His knowledge and technological experience will allow him to leverage technology across the group and take advantage of the rapidly changing media environment" and to "future-proof the business".

"Patrick Conroy and Maxwell Nonge also know each other very well and will be working closely together to develop strategies for the group".