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."

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".

BREAKING. eNCA going with 'gavel-to-gavel' live Oscar Pistorius murder trial coverage on television; doing a special Sunday preview.

eNCA (DStv 403) plans to broadcast "gavel-to-gavel" live coverage of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial for viewers whenever its allowed in the courtroom, and will have comprehensive reporting with nightly TV specials of the day's events between 19:00 and 20:00, repeated at 22:00.

ANN7 (DStv 405) did not announce Oscar Pistorius court trial coverage plans on television, but besides eNCA, MultiChoice will run a dedicated, 24-hour Oscar Pistorius trial TV channel on DStv on channel 199, and the Sabido-owned Platco Digital will also run its own dedicated, 24-hour Oscar Pistorius trial TV channel on OpenView HD (OVHD) on channel 119.

eNCA says the South African TV news channel will have an hour long Oscar Pretorius murder trial preview show on Sunday night at 18:00 as it gears up for covering "one of the biggest news stories of the year".

From Monday 3 March eNCA will broadcast live courtroom coverage and ongoing expert analysis and interpretation from a special vantage point outside the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

eNCA will use its specialist court reporter Karyn Maughan who has covered the story right from that shocking day last year on Valentine's Day when Oscar Pretorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

eNCA's team of reporters who will also cover the unfolding court room and news proceedings include Annika Larson, Phakamile Hlubi, Uveka Rangappa, Cathy Mohlahlana, Jeremy Maggs, Iman Rappetti and Gareth Edwards who will field anchor from outside the Pretoria court room.

"Everyone will be covering the Oscar Pistorius trial," says Patrick Conroy, eNCA's group head of news.

"The difference will be the quality of reporting, accuracy and insights into what is going on. We have specialist reporters to do this. We will also provide consistent updates on Twitter and our website enca.com".

"While the Oscar Pistorius trial is undoubtedly one of the biggest stories of the year, we will make sure our viewers also get regular updates on all other important news stories," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director.

Phakamile Hlubi on the eNCA does a Glenda Kemp; pats a python around her neck as part of a missing snake story.

Phakamile Hlubi on the eNCA (DStv 403) has done a Glenda Kemp for her sensational reporting on the "runaway" black mamba at the Pretoria zoo - getting in on the act by draping a yellow Burmese Python around her body.

Gimmicky reporting - from running in a red speedo to riding an elephant is nothing new for the eNCA and its coterie of correspondents - but has it become too much?

While one of the world's most deadliest snakes has escaped its enclosure at the Pretoria Zoo, the eNCA's Phakamile Hlubi thought it well to lovingly stroke a snake around her neck to enhance her on-air reporting.

The danger of course is that the reporter risks becoming the story instead of reporting on it.

TV news reporters just like print journalists do have to immerse themselves in the stories, environments, events and the lives of those they cover, but they shouldn't become a part of it.

Testing or evaluating a service or product or experience - such as a story on advanced driving technique classes just before a holiday period as Iman Rapetti and Jeremy Maggs did at the end of 2012, or test-driving a solar-powered experimental vehicle is full-on real and proper reporting.

In such cases the reporter is qualitatively involved to be "the Johnny" - the guinea pig or model to relay experiential coverage to the viewer.

On the other hand draping a snake around your neck tot pop your story makes you part of the act - you become part of the circus sideshow instead of objectively telling about it.

Remember that this isn't Thabang Thabong mid-morning educational show-and-tell kindergarden television, a place where something like this ("let's learn about the zoo; let's learn about snakes") would be fine - it's (supposedly) a news story which has now been cheapened by begging for "ooh watch me" legitimacy.

That's why Phakamile stroking a python is lazy, opportunistic (and slightly exploitative) reporting by the eNCA.