Twitter reacts as Bathabile Dlamini denies snubbing eNCA
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Image: Eugene Coetzee/The Herald
Minister of Women Bathabile Dlamini has denied banning eNCA journalists from the 16 Days of Activism campaign in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal.
On Sunday, eNCA reported that two of its journalists were banned from entering the venue in KwaMagwaza, Melmoth, after the minister refused to be filmed by the eNCA team.
According to eNCA, Dlamini's Chief of Staff, Palesa Mphamo denied eNCA journalists Bongumusa Mkhize and Thubalihle Vilane access to the venue where the event was being held.
The news channel reported that the minister wanted to be exclusively interviewed by the SABC.
[PRESS RELEASE] Bathabile Dlamini says she did not ban #eNCA from the 16 days of activism campaign launch. She says an investigation will be conducted. An eNCA crew says department officials along with Dlamini, ordered the team to leave the gathering. Here is the eNCA statement. pic.twitter.com/KJUoj2jTTm
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 26, 2018
On Monday, the South African Government News Agency reported that the ministry of Women released a statement clarifying that Dlamini will investigate allegations about the banning of the two journalists.
The ministry said Dlamini "will never instruct any reporter or journalist to leave any venue, especially when it is an event of government."
eNCA reported that Dlamini requested that KZN MEC of Social Development Weziwe G Thusi, should address eNCA instead.
The incident sparked a debate on the freedom of press.
It was wrong for Minister Bathabile Dlamini to have barred eNCA from covering an official government launch. The Presidency should make it clear that the print and electronic media cannot and should not be barred from reporting on official events. It's called media freedom.
— Dennis Cruywagen (@DennisCruywagen) November 25, 2018
I guess Bathabile Dlamini is taking a leaf out of the Trump deplorable behaviour catalogue to ban news organisations. The only people who ban the media are those with things to hide.#eNCA #VBS https://t.co/UB0yfdg6O4
— Abigail_🇿🇦 (@GlassPearl) November 26, 2018
I'm not a fan of Bathabile Dlamini, but eNCA's credibility & these other news organisations have deteriorated. They continue to show their bias & partisanship on certain
— Motswana (@SlingShotBih) November 26, 2018
issues. They've censored @EFFSouthAfrica in the past to fit their narrative & promote their agenda.
Bathabile Dlamini has drawn first blood and banned eNCA 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Soul Provider (@Who_is_Odwa) November 25, 2018
Does Minister #BathabileDlamini have to Power to do so?@eNCA https://t.co/4UxUG9vDoa
— V.L Shadean (@VijayShadean) November 25, 2018
For once, I agree with Bathabile Dlamini. Bathathe MaDlamini 😁 pic.twitter.com/1rNXGiGPAf
— Clubber Lang (@KulKid_N) November 25, 2018
Shame she is tired of being painted badly and bad https://t.co/KZWHxnWyCh becomes too much sometimes.#Bathabile Dlamini#eNCA.
— Sebata sa matedile (@sherrif295) November 25, 2018
What Bathabile Dlamini alleged did for denying enca coverage it is unacceptable because she is mandated by our taxes. Especially domestic violence that rate number one in convicted offenders in prisons.
— Goodwill Tsagae (@goodwill_tsagae) November 26, 2018
Gloves off... let journalists boycott all events and media briefings of Bathabile Dlamini and others like her.
— Malcom X (@JabuMah01262522) November 25, 2018
It's elections time, political parties fight for media coverage.
Even though we do not like or use eNCA News, it is wrong of the minister Bathabile Dlamini to ban them from the 16 Days of Activism launch. Saying only SABC know the limits means that even a non-political activism campaign is being hijacked by the government #sabc #dlamini #eNCA
— andrebruton (@andrebruton) November 25, 2018
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Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.