Monday, 6 November 2017

#BlackMonday protest - The flag burning photo was from 2012

It has come to my attention that on Monday 30 October 2017 that a photo taken by myself was used to mislead the public.
The photo in question was taken in Delmas, on 31/5/2012, and did not have any relation to the #BlackMonday protests which took place on that day.
Although a apology has been issued by the original sharer of the picture, Nickolaus Bauer, a journalist at eNCANews, the damage done to the validity of the protest is irreparable. The apology does not make up for the fact that he proved to the world that he does not uphold the ethical values of a journalist.
I am deeply disappointed in the people who have shared this photo.
The photo was re-tweeted by the Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula, which further stoked hate and disinformation and the Minister still has not taken down the tweet.
Furthermore the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, released a statement saying, "“It is important to note that the event of burning the new flag and flying of the old flag did not advance the cause for social cohesion and nation building, and we condemn this action with the strongest contempt it deserves,”. Condeming the burning of the flag. (See article at http://www.sanews.gov.za/s…/use-old-apartheid-flag-condemned)
Both Ministers should be held responsible for their statements and should apologize to the South African people for making statements on false information, our democratically elected leaders should be held to a higher standard.
Relating to the statement made by Mthethwa the following publications have published his statement and they should also be held responsible for reporting false news.
South Africa does not need to have a divide created between it's people by individuals with a certain agenda and it is the job of each and every person to make sure that propaganda is not used to sow distrust.
In no way do I wish to have my work used to further the political motive of dishonest individuals.
Huffington Post -
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/…/black-monday-marred-by-s…/
ANN7 - http://www.ann7.com/bur
ning-sa-flag-not-good-for-nation-building-mthethwa-says/

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