Independent Media chairman Dr Iqbal Survé has confronted News24 after it emerged via a credible source that it wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to shut down Independent Media.
The media company on Thursday published an article claiming Independent Media’s editors and political staff had a meeting to discuss an apparent media strategy for how the group will cover the ANC elective conference, to be held in December.
The publication claimed there was a “secret” document from the Independent Media group to “topple President Cyril Ramaphosa”.
The article states that the plan was authored by The Star’s editor, Sifiso Mahlangu, and is anti-Ramaphosa in its stance, giving preferential coverage to Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Dr Iqbal Survé, the owner of Sekunjalo, a shareholder of Independent Media, has put it to News24 and Naspers that they want Independent Media shut down.
“News24 and Naspers journalists under editor Adriaan Basson have just asked the South African government to shut down Independent Media. I challenge them to deny it publicly.
“Last week he was arguing for media freedom when it involved one of his journalists. What a hypocrite,” said Dr Survé.
News24 spokesperson and editor Basson said: “We deny the allegations.”
Dr Survé said he was glad to see Independent Media editors not allowing themselves to be bullied.
“Where in the world does a competitor tell another media house what their election coverage strategy should be?
“This is very much in line with News24 being the mouthpiece of PW Botha and apartheid Stratcom. Someone should remind them that apartheid is long gone,” Dr Survé said.
