eNCA to review policy following 'doek scandal'

The eNCA is embroiled in what has been dubbed ‘the doek scandal’.

This comes after the decision to remove a reporter’s footage from the bulletin because she was wearing a head scarf (doek).

Nontobeko Sibisi, Arts and Entertainment reporter at eNCA, had put together an Africa Day footage that focused on African cross boarder music collaboration but the story was pulled off air. Her mistake, according to her, was wearing a doek.

Sibisi sent an email to her colleagues laying out her frustrations with her sub-editor's action which was leaked to the media.

“Now because for 9 seconds of an about three minute piece I appear wearing a doek – the story was taken off air without my knowledge,” said Sibisi in the email obtained by IOL.

“I was not spoken to, disciplined, reprimanded or emailed regarding this grave action (to remove footage). I was informed of this decision by a sub-editor in passing.”

Sibisi said that she was burdened and felt heavy by what she called “an unjustifiable injustice”, especially during Africa Day celebrations.

eNCA’s editor in chief Anton Harber reportedly told radio 702 he was not sure why the footage was pulled off air and that he still needed to get to the bottom of why the decision was taken.

“The line manager who made the decision is out of the country, so I’ve been unable to query that particular decision. But I saw the piece and I thought it was an excellent piece and I thought the reporter did a great job.”

Harber said that they will be reviewing the policy on how the reporters should dress.

This article first appeared on The Sowetan.