Press Statement dated 22 August 2018
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on government to intervene to stop the monopoly in the country’s digital broadcasting space in the wake of the shutdown of AfroWorldView Channel 405, formerly ANN7, from MultiChoice’s DSTV platform, which left some 350 employees without employment.
The job losses also tail of the closure of AfroVoice, formerly the New Age newspaper, which also resulted in job losses in the media industry.
“Even more concerning is the fact that these workers have not been informed by management of what will happen to them or if they will receive their salaries this month. Understanding the troubling background on which the channel and the newspaper was founded, and its former association to the scandal-ridden Gupta-family, it is still unacceptable that workers, who must support families, have now been left in employment limbo. While the PSA has noted reports that engagements are still ongoing to replace the channel, what guarantees have been given to these workers, on whether they will have jobs when MultiChoice announces the replacing channel on 28 August 2018? The impact of this decision will not be felt by executive managers, but by workers who depend on their monthly salary to make a living,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA also expressed concern about the impact on media diversity as the rebranded newspaper and channel, under Afrotone Media Holdings, was a solely black-owned organisation.
“The PSA and it 240 000 members pledge solidarity with the workers of AfroWorldView and AfroVoice. We call on all stakeholders to continue engagements to curb job losses as the country tries to rise from economic hardship,” said Mr Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)