Home eNCA in shambles: Insiders leak e-mail showing how Pillay got a slap on the wrist

eNCA in shambles: Insiders leak e-mail showing how Pillay got a slap on the wrist

The eNCA censorship saga continues. Two days after political journalist, Samkele Maseko, lifted a can of worms that exposed the television broadcaster’s Head of News, Kanthan Pillay, as an alleged dictator of propagandist reporting, very little has been done to restore faith in the channel.

Kanthan Pillay suspended a journalist via e-mail

Many ex-employees of various broadcasting stations have since come forth to detail their nightmares about working under the authoritative rule of Pillay.

Maseko, who has since left eNCA to join state-owned SABC, accused the broadcaster’s Head of News, of censorship. He alleged that Pillay purposefully limits broadcasting of EFF and ANC content to “settle political scores”.

The revered political journalist even went as far as claiming that his colleague, Khayelihle Khumalo, was suspended via e-mail for live tweeting all the ongoings of the EFF’s Second National People’s Assembly from his personal account.

The contents of Pillay’s e-mail have since been leaked on social media. At this time, it is not known what the status of Khumalo’s employment is.

This is how eNCA structured Pillay’s disciplinary process

The morale at the broadcaster’s offices has plummetted in the last 48 hours — much like their online following. Anchors like, Shahan Ramkissoon, have publicly condemned the way Maseko’s resignation — which he has the right to — was handled.

Considering the weight of Pillay’s transgressions, the public expected eNCA to act decisively on the Head of News’ future. After all, the allegations levelled against him have cast doubt on the broadcaster’s use of impartiality in reporting.

However, a leaked e-mail showed how Pillay was coached into issuing an apology to Maseko and SABC. The e-mail, sent by eNCA’s Editor and senior Anchor, Jeremy Maggs, assured employees that “we are not in the business of censoring stories but conversely also apply strict gatekeeping rules of fairness, impartiality and right of reply”.

At this time, the public apology is the only punishment Pillay has received. It is presumed that he still holds the fort at the news station.



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