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JOHN DLUDLU: Despite ANN7, let alternatives flourish
The recent decision by MultiChoice to abruptly take ANN7, one of its content suppliers, off air later in 2018 has been a subject of much discussion because of its timing as well as the implausible reasons offered for the decision. Quite rightly, there has been concern at the impending loss of jobs at the channel, which is now owned by Mzwanele Manyi. The demise of the channel, founded by the controversial Gupta family, has come at the same time as one of its chief sponsors, President Jacob Zuma, finds himself fighting for his political life. In all likelihood, he won’t be head of state by the end of this week. The controversy over the termination of ANN7’s contract has exposed some of the fundamental contradictions in our discourse around freedom of expression. The group, including The New Age newspaper, came to the market promising to be the much-awaited alternative black-owned voice market disrupter with a simple agenda — being pro-SA and telling inconvenient truths. The channel, ...
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