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European Network of Heads of Nature Conservation Agencies

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2021

    eNCA faces backlash over mask-interview controversy

    Public backlash

    eNCA faced social-media backlash after reporter Lindsay Dentlinger asked a Black politician to wear a mask during an interview but interviewed a white politician without one. The channel denied that the conduct was racially motivated and said it was investigating.

    Company response

    • Investigation — eNCA

      She has denied this and eNCA is still investigating.

    • Clarification — eNCA

      the broadcaster had met with Dentlinger and concluded her conduct “was not racially motivated or with malicious intent”.

    Source excerpt

    • after Dentlinger last week asked UDM deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa to wear a mask during an interview on the 2021 Budget Speech, while FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald was interviewed without a mask.accused the channel of racism and unconscious bias,
    • The station faced a backlash from social media users who
    • She has denied this and eNCA is still investigating.
    Source

  2. 2020

    BCCSA fines e.tv and eNCA over Covid-19 misinformation broadcast

    Fine or penalty

    The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa fined e.tv and eNCA R10,000 over an episode of Gareth Cliff's show that included claims about Covid-19. The tribunal found that comments in the interview were not justifiable or reasonable and that the broadcast breached the codes.

    Company response

    • Apology — e.tv and eNCA

      Both eNCA and e.tv apologise for the fact that it did not protect the people of South Africa from the potential harm and misinformation contained in the interview.

    Source excerpt

    • This is after an official ruling by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) that stated it had fined e.tv and eNCA R10k for airing an episode of Cliff’s show, So What Now? on July 22.
    • “Both eNCA and e.tv apologise for the fact that it did not protect the people of South Africa from the potential harm and misinformation contained in the interview.”
    • The BCCSA tribunal found that comments made during the interview were not justifiable nor reasonable, claiming the misinformation spread could cause harm to South Africans.
    Source

  3. 2019

    eNCA news chief apologizes for tweet about former staffer

    Company response

    eNCA head of news Kanthan Pillay apologized for a tweet referring to former staffer Samkele Maseko as a “rat” and retracted the statement. The article reports that the tweet drew backlash on social media and that eNCA editor Jeremy Maggs said the concerns raised would be reviewed.

    Company response

    • Apology — Kanthan Pillay

      “I hereby express my unreserved apology to all that were offended by my irresponsible and ill-conceived statement on Twitter, posted on Tuesday, December 17 2019,” Pillay said in a statement.

    • Investigation — eNCA

      Meanwhile, eNCA editor Jeremy Maggs said the concerns raised would be reviewed, and an external and impartial adjudicator appointed if required.

    • Apology — Kanthan Pillay

      I hereby express my unreserved apology to all that were offended by my irresponsible and ill-conceived statement on Twitter, posted on Tuesday, December 17 2019

    Source excerpt

    • The tweets sparked a backlash, with several former eNCA staffers and former employees of Pillay complaining about his behaviour.
    • eNCA head of news Kanthan Pillay has apologised for a tweet in which he referred to former staffer Samkele Maseko as a "rat".
    • I deeply regret the statement I made and retract it in its entirety,
    Source