Dispatch responds to ANC statement

[MickeyD]

By Bongani Siqoko - editor

Today the African National Congress (ANC) issued a statement in which it accused the Daily Dispatch of “a well – orchestrated media plot to tarnish Eastern Cape Premier and collapse Eastern Cape Provincial government.”

The party claimed this was contained in a document arising out of the paper’s “bosberaad” for the 2015/16 year which has been “leaked” to it.

No such document exists at the Daily Dispatch. The newspaper also did not hold a “bosberaad” as claimed by the ANC. Consequently the Daily Dispatch has nothing to do with the document the ANC claims to have in its possession.

We are disappointed that the ANC elected not to confront the Daily Dispatch with these allegations, which we would have directly refuted.

For the past week we have been confronted with false accusations that we are spying on the Premier of the province, Phumulo Masualle. This accusation was formally raised this week when officials from the premier’s office visited our newsroom to discuss our continuing working relationship. Incidentally the meeting was cordial and fruitful.

The ANC statement coincides with consistent information that the safety of some of the Daily Dispatch’s senior staff, including the editor, is in danger. Security experts have since confirmed that these threats are credible and need to be taken seriously.

As a result Times Media Ltd, the owners of the Daily Dispatch have had to take steps to bolster security measures around the staff concerned.

We have never been driven by an agenda or political affiliation. Our daily motivation is a relentless pursuit for truth. And that entails holding those in power accountable. To that end, we remain unbending.

http://www.dispatchlive.co.za/gen/dispatch-responds-to-anc-statement/

 

[Mila]

Hello Verwoerdian regime, that old man must be laughing in his grave. To have been so cunning even the ANC is now adopting his methods.

Fantastic story the ANC is telling

 

[w1z4rd]

ANC threats against Daily Dispatch staff should be investigated

Allegations of threats on the lives of senior staff at the Daily Dispatch newspaper, including its editor Bongani Siqoko are a cause for serious concern and require urgent investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS).

The threats coincide with the newspaper’s consistent reporting on corruption in the province, such as the Siyenza toilet tender scandal. Yesterday, in a statement, the ANC accused the newspaper of a media plot to “tarnish” and “collapse” the Eastern Cape government.

According to Siqoko, security experts have since confirmed the threats on Daily Dispatch senior staff as credible and needing to be taken seriously. Times Media Group has bolstered security measures for all staff affected.

This matter now needs to be investigated by SAPS to determine the person(s) behind the threats, and the perpetrators prosecuted.

Threats on the lives of journalists are not only criminal, but an assault on media freedom as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

Intimidation and threats of violence against the media cannot be tolerated in a constitutional democracy.

In order for our democracy to prosper, it is essential that we have a free press that reports without fear or intimidation.

We trust that SAPS will deal with this matter with the seriousness it requires.

http://www.da.org.za/2015/05/anc-threats-against-daily-dispatch-staff-should-be-investigated/

 

[satanboy]

politicians and journalists

/spits

 

[w1z4rd]

politicians and journalists

/spits

They are humans, just like you. You offer nothing that exempts you from the same shortcomings as them.

 

[satanboy]

They are humans, just like you. You offer nothing that exempts you from the same shortcomings as them.

you are funny

I don't lie to people on a daily basis.

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

We trust that SAPS will deal with this matter with the seriousness it requires

.... SAPS ..... Selebe, Marikana, Tatane, Xenophobia ..... Sure they will get serious ... HAHAHAHAHA

 

[w1z4rd]

you are funny

I don't lie to people on a daily basis.

I just caught you lying in the other thread where you claim you never heard of the acdp or ff+. Its also a lie to think that all journalists and all politicians lie every day. But yeah, you keep waiving that flag.

 

[grok]

They are humans, just like you. You offer nothing that exempts you from the same shortcomings as them.

Some of us try to live up to better standards. Or are less narcissistic.

 

[satanboy]

I just caught you lying in the other thread where you claim you never heard of the acdp or ff+. Its also a lie to think that all journalists and all politicians lie every day. But yeah, you keep waiving that flag.

It was a bloody joke. Get over yourself.

 

[w1z4rd]

Some of us try to live up to better standards. Or are less narcissistic.

Lol, isnt it narcissistic to think you are better than someone else? Like you just did?

Helen Zille dedicated her life to helping people. But you have better standards? I think you would definitely be in a minority thinking that. There are politicians like Helen Suzman, José Mujica and Helen Zille that have more integrity and have sacrificed more to help others than most other people. Politicians are people. Some are good, some are bad. You can be a dick and a liar without being a politicians and you can be honest and dedicated while being a politician.

I know people like to simplify things and make themselves feel better by saying all politicians and journalists lie. But life is not that simple. People are people, no matter what their career or vocation. Some people do it to serve themselves, other people to it do serve a cause or people.

 

[satanboy]

Who pissed on your battery?

 

[w1z4rd]

It was a bloody joke. Get over yourself.

I didnt mention anything about myself. Nothing to get over. I dont know when you are joking. A variation of Poe`s law and all that.

 

[w1z4rd]

Who pissed on your battery?

No one, cant you have a two way discussion about something?

 

[Solarion]

Threatening the lives of journalists. That's beautiful. Taking a page out of Mugabe's handbook.

 

[GoofySmurf]

They are humans, just like you. You offer nothing that exempts you from the same shortcomings as them.

They are ? Prove it .....

 

[grok]

Lol, isnt it narcissistic to think you are better than someone else? Like you just did?

Helen Zille dedicated her life to helping people. But you have better standards? I think you would definitely be in a minority thinking that. There are politicians like Helen Suzman, José Mujica and Helen Zille that have more integrity and have sacrificed more to help others than most other people. Politicians are people. Some are good, some are bad. You can be a dick and a liar without being a politicians and you can be honest and dedicated while being a politician.

I know people like to simplify things and make themselves feel better by saying all politicians and journalists lie. But life is not that simple. People are people, no matter what their career or vocation. Some people do it to serve themselves, other people to it do serve a cause or people.

I was aiming at politicians more than journalists, and ANC politicians specifically. Also I'm referring to narcissism in the pathological sense, not everyday self-preservation masking as such.

Relax, I fully recognise that the DA has much more of a serving others that serving themselves history/attitude.

 

[satanboy]

No one, cant you have a two way discussion about something?

Your message just came across as angry....agressive...maybe it is me.

 

[MrR]

They are ? Prove it .....

Read this quote this morning and couldn't help but find how relevant it is now

If you prick us, do we not bleed?
if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison
us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not
revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
resemble you in that.

 

[Solarion]

Secret agents and dark forces at it again.