Yunus Carrim: Naspers conveniently is forgetting
The former minister says media group Naspers is not being honest
Former communications minister Yunus Carrim has hit back at Naspers and described as "bizarre" suggestions that Naspers CEO Koos Bekker was hands-off in MultiChoice’s vigorous campaign to change the government’s policy on television set encryption. Carrim’s comments have made Naspers’s attempts to distance itself from mounting controversy around MultiChoice’s payments to ANN7 and SABC almost impossible. After initially refusing to comment, Naspers, which owns 80% of MultiChoice, on Friday issued a statement referring to "persistent baiting of Naspers to intervene in the affairs of Multichoice". It claimed some of this baiting was designed to pressure Naspers into forcing Multichoice to take the Gupta-owned ANN7 television station off the air. The nature of MultiChoice’s satellite platform was to provide the largest number and the most diverse voices. "The public decides what to watch. Media freedom and diversity are values worth protecting in an open democracy."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.