Cape Town Anti-War Coalition Press Statement
2pm
23rd November 2006

The Cape Town Anti-War Coalition will be supporting a demonstration against racism and anti-semitism in the Media24 newsroom, at the offices of the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) in Darling Street on 27th November at 10:30am.

The protest action is in support of a former employee from Media24's People's Post, who has laid several complaints of discrimination against the company, after being dismissed for not complying with the demands of a "white" or "coloured" target market. The employee alleges that Media24 has continued to use racial profiling in reporting and has maintained racial divisions in the newsroom. For example, a story about a "black" jazz musician, was thrown out since the target market for one of the titles was considered to be "coloured".

CT AWC sees this case as evidence of the long standing role of the capitalists in dividing the working class. We have always said that racial divisions are artificial especially since they were promoted by the previous regime, who worked hand in glove with the capitalists.

This case clearly shows that the mainstream media is continuing to actively promote racial divides. The management of the economy (the government) may have changed but the same capitalists are still in ultimate control.

The employee reports that although he submitted a story brief on an Islamic Art Exhibition at Iziko (Bo Kaap), as well as a "Remembering Slavery", (history of slavery) exhibition at the Slave Lodge. Cape Town, a Media24 editor threw out both these pieces. She claimed the target market would "not be interested in this content," since "they all live on th e Cape Flats."

Consequently the allegation is as follows: Media24 discriminates against Islamic culture, as well as the descendents of slaves. The discrimination case is also being taken up by the employee on the grounds of anti-semitism after the employee was forced to work seven days a week thus being unable to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath from Friday sunset until the following Saturday sunset.

Bad working conditions will also be raised. The employee states that "Media24 manager Sedrick Taljaard scheduled an appointment at 4am in the morning. He also expected me to distribute Media24's community newspapers on the streets of Grassy Park, every Tuesday morning from 5am until 7:30am; to work a 14 hour day, with a production cycle from Thursday until Monday, in which I got to work at 8:30am and left at 10pm, in addition to generating copy and gathering news during the pre-production period Tuesday until Wednesday. It is unclear what time, if ever, I was expected to have off, since this obligation ate into my rest period as well as lunch".

For comment please call David on 082 425 1454 or Mo on 082 2020617