MATTHEW SAVIDES: How Zuma briefed ANN7 and insisted it hire Manyi
'We must not convert this into a publicity channel for the ANC and me. If we do that, we will have no credibility'
After a presentation video was shown – which Zuma approved of – the former president spoke.“I have a few suggestions. We must not convert this into a publicity channel for the ANC and me. If we do that, we will have no credibility. You must present the views of the opposition and my rivals in the ANC as well. The push in our favour should be subtle. You are a seasoned journalist. We need a channel that presents the positives that the government is doing,” Sundarum quotes Zuma as saying.
A new book claims former president Jacob Zuma held lengthy meetings with the Guptas and ANN7 managers to brief them on its editorial policy, who they should hire and how they should make him look good – but that it shouldn’t be too obvious. This is one of many startling statements Indian journalist Rajesh Sundaram makes in his explosive book, published by Jacana and to be released this month, about how he was hired to lead the team that would launch the 24-hour news channel. He writes that Zuma had a direct hand in appointing presenters on Gupta news channel ANN7, including insisting that former government spokesman Mzwanele “Jimmy” Manyi was hired.Manyi laughed off the claims in a WhatsApp message to Times Select. “Where do people dream up such?” he asked, without making any further comment. But according to the author, Zuma’s hand was so influential in Manyi’s hire that senior staffers at the channel were told that “President Zuma will have it no other way” than that Manyi – who n...
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