Former Gupta-owned ANN7 journalist Clement Manyathela says during his time at the news channel, there were many instances where there was editorial interference.
“One particular thing I remember where I could see that interference and it frustrated me to the point where I couldn’t stay any longer, was when the former deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas released that explosive statement saying that the Guptas had offered him a minister of finance position.”
Manyathela adds that the Guptas would come to the office, and their visit would be a huge spectacle.
What was shocking for me was to see colleagues bowing before the Guptas and touch their feet. People believed that for them to show loyalty to the Guptas they had to bend and touch their feet.
This follows revelations made by his former editor Rajesh Sundaram at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture of Monday.
Sundaram told the commission of how former president Jacob Zuma played a significant role in the establishment of ANN7 and even laid down editorial policy for the channel.
Sundaram spoke about how the former president and the Guptas were involved in the day-to-day operation of the channel and how editorial meetings would often be hijacked, and you would be told not to go to a particular briefing.
He added that they were instructed to ensure that the President Zuma is shown in a good light. They were also told not to include Economic Freedom Fighter Julius Malema in the News bulletin clips.
(Edited by Johanna Molokomme)
