M&G to meet ANC leadership over 'unfair' reporting accusations

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

Mail and Guardian editor, Angela Quintal
accepting ANCYL memorundum in Rosebank.(Sthembiso Sithole)

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has every right to express their views, that’s according to Mail and Guardian editor, Angela Quintal.

Her comment follows a march organized by the youth league to the M&G's office in Johannesburg, over the papers coverage of the May 7 elections. According to the ANCYL, the M&G was biased against the ANC in its reporting during the elections.

The league says: "The Mail&Guardian is one of media houses which have become willing propagandist of a counter-revolution against the ANC in support of the opposition instead of fair, objective, balanced and accurate reporting."

Speaking exclusively to SABC Digital News, Quintal says they will meet next week with the ANC leadership to discuss concerns that the party has regarding the newspaper’s election coverage.

"We are in a democratic country. We will engage with the leadership. We are looking forward to meeting them and we will have a robust debate," says Quintal.

During the march, close to 200 ANCYL supporters and Congress of the South African Student (Cosas) members sang anti-M&G songs outside the newspapers offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Some of the protestors were pupils from different schools in Gauteng. A learner from the Bona-Lesedi High school in Mamelodi, Thabang Mahlomuza, says he was told to join march.

Mahlomuza says "he has never read M&G, but knows that it's biased." He added, "The paper is not fair. We are here to defend our president. Tomorrow I am writing English paper 1, I told myself that I need to be here."

Cosas Provincial Secretary, Khulekani Skosana says the M&G must print the truth about President Jacob Zuma. He says if they don't they will deal with the paper's management.

ANCYL convener, Alex Mashilo shares the same sentiments with Mahlomuza. He says they demand fair reporting from the paper. He has also accused the paper of endorsing the Democratic Alliance during the elections.

The M&G says it will study the memorandum and will give feedback to the party's leadership during their meeting with them.

Click here to watch photos of the march: (PhotoSnack)

For live tweet updates from the march, click here

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.