ANN7 editor flees SA

[LazyLion]

http://ewn.co.za/2013/09/02/ANN7-editor-fears-for-safety

JOHANNESBURG – Former Africa News Network Seven (ANN7) consulting editor Rajesh Sundaram has left South Africa and is returning to India following his resignation from the news channel.

Sundaram says his resignation is due to various reasons including that the station is strictly pro ANC.

He went public over the weekend telling the media he fears for his safety after fleeing the ANN7 offices in Midrand and being threatened by an armed bodyguard.

Sundaram believes a mysterious burglary at a Midrand hotel where he was staying wasn’t a coincidence.
The burglary is thought to have occurred during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The room of another ANN7 employee, which was located adjacent to Sundaram’s was also targeted.

Cash, clothing, suitcases and documents were taken.

Sundaram says the timing is suspicious.

“It can’t be a mad coincidence that on the same night there was a burglary in the hotel room adjacent to mine. They took away all suitcases and every document that was there. They came and thought it was my room.”

The Gupta family's 24-hour news channel, which launched last month, has sparked criticism because of multiple on air mistakes.

 

[LazyLion]

ANN7 denies former editor’s allegations

http://goo.gl/wulTi3

Johannesburg - As damning reports of mismanagement, physical threats against a former editor and political partisanship loom over ANN7, the broadcaster has vehemently denied the allegations.

On Sunday, City Press reported that former ANN7 editor Rajesh Sundaram had opened up about his “terrifying” experiences at the broadcaster.

Sundaram, who resigned from ANN7 last week, said the broadcaster had been visited by President Jacob Zuma, who allegedly made editorial recommendations and “was given assurances by the Guptas this channel was going to be pro-ANC”. According to the paper, Zuma met TNA media group chief executive Nazeem Howa, Atul and Ajay Gupta and The New Age editor Moegsien Williams on several occasions.

Sundaram allegedly made presentations at these meetings at the president’s official residence in Pretoria, and the editorial policy for ANN7 was discussed.

“He said there should not be any direct propaganda, that all sides should be represented, that the stance should be subtle and not direct,” Sundaram told City Press.

He also said he was forced to flee the studios on Friday as he was being pursued by Atul Gupta’s armed bodyguards.

Sundaram said tension rose between him and other executives when he demanded to be paid for his dozens of hours of overtime, resulting in verbal abuse and alleged threats to harm himself and his career from Gupta himself.

He also decried the working conditions at the station, and said Gupta ran the company like a dictator.

In a statement released on Sunday, Howa released Sundaram’s resignation letter in which he was decidedly positive about his experiences at the broadcaster.

“I have had the most exhilarating three months working with Infinity Media. It has been by far the best phase in my career,” Sundaram’s letter read.

Sundaram said the letter was written before tension with his bosses reached breaking point.

In a written response from the broadcaster, Howa said meetings between Sundaram and the management broke down on Friday. He described Sundaram's allegations as not worthy of a response.

It’s understood the broadcaster is currently searching for candidates to lead the news operation. In the meantime, Shantanu Chatterjee will assume the role of consulting editor.

Source: The Star

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

Didn't know Aiplex is also into physical intimidation. :wtf:

 

[Ecco]

Very dubious!

 

[Compton_effect]

Anyone want to take bets on how long ANN7 will still be on-air?

 

[Syphonx]

http://ewn.co.za/2013/09/02/ANN7-editor-fears-for-safety
“It can’t be a mad coincidence that on the same night there was a burglary in the hotel room adjacent to mine. They took away all suitcases and every document that was there. They came and thought it was my room.”

Pretty much proves this, it's the same level of incompetence exhibited at ANN7, couldn't even rob the correct room.

 

[yebocan]

Pretty much proves this, it's the same level of incompetence exhibited at ANN7, couldn't even rob the correct room.

Sounds about right....

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Waar daar 'n rokie is, is daar 'n....

 

[creeper]

Anyone want to take bets on how long ANN7 will still be on-air?

For a while. ANN7 is just waiting for the tender to be approved for all advertising my govt departments.

 

[Compton_effect]

For a while. ANN7 is just waiting for the tender to be approved for all advertising my govt departments.

A ANC-biased channel funded by goverment contracts? Ramphele and co can't ask a for a better target. :twisted:

 

[blunomore]

Former Africa News Network Seven (ANN7) consulting editor Rajesh Sundaram has left South Africa and is returning to India following his resignation from the news channel.

Sundaram says his resignation is due to various reasons including that the station is strictly pro ANC.

Is Rajesh Sundaram retarded? Did he not investigate ANN7's policy before he took up the job with them????

 

[grok]

A ANC-biased channel funded by goverment contracts? Ramphele and co can't ask a for a better target. :twisted:

Most of our voters won't even understand the implications, nevermind .. oh wait .. t-shirts!

 

[DJ...]

Is Rajesh Sundaram retarded? Did he not investigate ANN7's policy before he took up the job with them????

The stance was made clear post-employment, based on other articles on the subject...

As damning reports of mismanagement, physical threats against a former editor and political partisanship loom over ANN7

And they've been on air for what, 2 weeks?

LOL...