Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

DStv must pull plug on ANN7, Outa says

21/11/2017

--

DStv must pull plug on ANN7, Outa says --

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 11:40

--

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) said on Thursday that it has written to DStv parent MultiChoice, asking it to pull the plug on ANN7, the 24-hours news channel carried on its pay-TV platform.

TechCentral reported that the organisation, which has long been a thorn on the side of roads agency Sanral over the tolling of Gauteng highways, said in a statement that it has received complaints from thousands of concerned South Africans that their DStv subscriptions are (being) used to fund a Gupta-connected news network .

The demand follows news reports that MultiChoice pays ANN7 at least R50m/year to carry the news channel. Last week, the broadcaster denied it signed a revision to an agreement with the formerly Gupta-owned channel, in terms of which it would pay the channel R150m/year.

But the news that it has been paying the channel at all has provoked a backlash from consumers, especially on social media.

Responding to e-mailed questions from TechCentral last week, MultiChoice said the draft amendment contract (PDF) contained in the so-called Gupta leaks e-mails was never finalised. The draft contract came to light after a portion of the leaked e- mails were published online.

The unsigned amendment agreement also proposed changing the duration of the contract to 10 years so, expiring in 2024.

The draft contract published (in the Gupta e-mails) was not signed and MultiChoice is not part of the e-mail exchange referred to in your query, the pay-TV broadcaster said. We confirm that we have a legally binding contract, the details of which are subject to confidentiality clauses, it added. A well-placed source told TechCentral that MultiChoice s agreement with ANN7 expires in 2018.

Demand for clarity

Outa has now weighed in on the subject, saying in an open letter to MultiChoice South Africa chief operating officer Mark Rayner (the letter is published below this article) that there is growing demand for clarity on MultiChoice s position on ANN7 .

The organisation said ANN7 was allegedly initiated with taxpayers money and set up to support a political bias driven by the politically connected Gupta family .

We are mindful of media freedom and freedom of speech and endorse it ourselves, but we sincerely ask that MultiChoice do the right thing by heeding the call by civil society, for greater transparency and decisive action against entities linked to possible criminal activities and state capture, CEO Wayne Duvenage said.

In an e-mail to TechCentral, MultiChoice said: We confirm that we received the letter from Outa. We ve contacted them and we ll be meeting them next week to discuss their concerns.

In August, controversial Gupta-aligned businessman Mzwanele Manyi said he was buying ANN7 and The New Age newspaper for R450m in a deal financed by the Guptas.

A Manyi-owned company called Lodidox bought Infinity Media, which owns ANN7, for R300m, and two-thirds of TNA Media, which owns The New Age, for R150m, Gupta- owned Oakbay Investments said in a statement at the time.

The sale came as Oakbay struggled to find a banker willing to do business with it. Bank of Baroda this year became the latest institution unwilling to provide banking services to the Gupta family s businesses. (c) 2017 NewsCentral Media

Source: TechCentral

Related Articles



-- --

-- --

-- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus
LINK: http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/business/1664435-DStv-must-pull-...
See more stories from screenafrica

Africa Stories

29/03/2024

Muvhango: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Muvhango: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African webs...

29/03/2024

Gqeberha: The Empire - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Gqeberha: The Empire - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South...

29/03/2024

My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sou...

29/03/2024

Umkhokha: The Curse - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Umkhokha: The Curse - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South ...

29/03/2024

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...

29/03/2024

House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African...

28/03/2024

DJ Sbu makes shock return to SABC radio after almost a decade

DJ Sbu makes shock return to SABC radio after almost a decadeRevered radio host, media personality, philanthropist, and businessman DJ Sbu will finally be back ...

28/03/2024

Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afr...

28/03/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele informs Zola of her pregnancy

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele informs Zola of her pregnancyDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie House of Zwide o...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe outsmarts Gabisile but Difa's suspicion rises

Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe outsmarts Gabisile but Difa's suspicion risesDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie U...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Uzalo: Mbatha wins Linda Sibiya over

Tonight on Uzalo: Mbatha wins Linda Sibiya overDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Uzalo on SABC 1 on DStv channel...

28/03/2024

Generations: The Legacy - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Generations: The Legacy - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The S...

28/03/2024

Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the Streets

Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the StreetsWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore...

28/03/2024

Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processes

Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processesDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctiona...

28/03/2024

Streaming today: When You Finish Saving The World' on Netflix - 28 March 2024

Streaming today: When You Finish Saving The World' on Netflix - 28 March 20...

28/03/2024

Prison Journalism: The Story of Paulus

Prison Journalism: The Story of PaulusDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice progra...

28/03/2024

Prison Journalism: Inside and Outside

Prison Journalism: Inside and OutsideFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorative Justice programme whil...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Muvhango: Imani escapes Khumo's hellhole

Tonight on Muvhango: Imani escapes Khumo's hellholeDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango on SABC 2 on DS...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Generations: Kea can sense her brother is hiding something

Tonight on Generations: Kea can sense her brother is hiding somethingDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Generation...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Magolide and Tiny compete against each other

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Magolide and Tiny compete against each otherDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Champions: Washington's struggle takes an unexpected turn

Tonight on Champions: Washington's struggle takes an unexpected turnDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Champio...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Tibi's meltdown softens a teacher

Tonight on Scandal: Tibi's meltdown softens a teacherDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DS...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Gqeberha: Lulama tells Thulani that she's pregnant with his child

Tonight on Gqeberha: Lulama tells Thulani that she's pregnant with his childDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie...

28/03/2024

Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso has the wrong end of the stick

Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso has the wrong end of the stickDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie My Br...

28/03/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa doubles down on his ill-treatment of Pretty

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa doubles down on his ill-treatment of PrettyDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...

28/03/2024

Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Af...

28/03/2024

Muvhango: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Muvhango: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African web...

28/03/2024

Gqeberha: The Empire - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Gqeberha: The Empire - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sout...

28/03/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...

28/03/2024

House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South Africa...

28/03/2024

My Brother's Keeper: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

My Brother's Keeper: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The So...

28/03/2024

Uzalo: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [video]

Uzalo: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...

28/03/2024

Scandal!: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Scandal!: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African web...

28/03/2024

Umkhokha: The Curse - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Umkhokha: The Curse - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Generations: Hlomla is shaken that he came face to face with the stalker

Tonight on Generations: Hlomla is shaken that he came face to face with the stal...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny and Magolide plot to get the Managerial position

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny and Magolide plot to get the Managerial posit...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Oritonda gets to shine and it all seems to be going well for him

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Oritonda gets to shine and it all seems to be going well ...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo, who is out on bail, tortures Imani

Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo, who is out on bail, tortures ImaniDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango on SABC...

27/03/2024

Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...

27/03/2024

House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]

House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...

27/03/2024

Generations: The Legacy - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Generations: The Legacy - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sou...

27/03/2024

Streaming today: The Believers' on Netflix - 27 March 2024

Streaming today: The Believers' on Netflix - 27 March 2024Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your fa...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Uzalo: Mondli thinks he may have an idea who robbed the police station

Tonight on Uzalo: Mondli thinks he may have an idea who robbed the police statio...

27/03/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith leaves Funani due to unappreciated support, despite Funani's pleas

Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith leaves Funani due to unappreciated support, des...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe tries to threaten Gabisile to not tell

Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe tries to threaten Gabisile to not tellDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Umkhokha: T...

27/03/2024

Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso threatens to move out of home over his parent's disrespect of his wife

Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso threatens to move out of home over h...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Gqeberha: Stokkie makes a major move for his future

Tonight on Gqeberha: Stokkie makes a major move for his futureDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Gqeberha: The Em...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Scandal: A young girl brings a dark cloud into her family's home

Tonight on Scandal: A young girl brings a dark cloud into her family's homeDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie...

27/03/2024

Tonight on Champions: Lebo gets career-changing news, but Ferrari looms large

Tonight on Champions: Lebo gets career-changing news, but Ferrari looms largeDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie C...

27/03/2024

Gqeberha: The Empire - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]

Gqeberha: The Empire - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South ...