Media group Johnnic Communications (Johncom) on Monday rejected what it called unsubstantiated allegations by sacked Sunday Times editor Mathatha Tsedu of ulterior motives as the reason for his dismissal, saying the decision to dismiss him related purely to his performance.
Citing what it referred to as the ”real issues” behind Tsedu’s dismissal, Johncom CEO Connie Molusi said Tsedu was dismissed as editor of the country’s biggest-circulation newspaper for failing to ”edit the newspaper in a manner consistent with his contract of employment”.
”We are committed to quality,” asserted Molusi, adding that Tsedu had also failed to meet the requirements of the Johnnic Communications Board’s written mission statement that the editor of the Sunday Times produce an ”independent quality newspaper that sustains our democracy, is trusted by its readers and advertisers, is targeted at those people in living standards measures (LSM) categories 6 to 10 in South Africa and Southern Africa, and is profitable”.
”We are committed to our principles. Mr Tsedu’s failure to meet these requirements has resulted in both a loss of circulation and of readers of all races in our key target audience.
”In terms of circulation, the Sunday Times has sold an average of 5 600 fewer copies a week over the past six months than it did in the same period last year (excluding bulk and sponsored education sales). This has resulted in circulation revenue being R1,7-million behind budget. We are committed to our shareholders,” Molusi continued.
He added that Johncom management believed that the major contributing factor behind a decline in sales and readers had been the loss of senior staff under Tsedu’s editorship and because he ”was all too often not at his desk when key decisions had to be made. We are committed to our readers, advertisers and employees”.
Molusi also rejected allegations by Tsedu that management ans staff had not supported his drive to transform the Sunday Times into an ”African” product.
”In fact, long before his tenure, the Sunday Times had launched an Africa edition, which is now the biggest-circulating South African paper outside the country’s borders. Meanwhile, Johncom is in the process of purchasing newspapers in West and East Africa. Johncom is committed to our continent,” Molusi asserted.
”We reject Mr Tsedu’s unsubstantiated allegations of ulterior motives as the reason for his dismissal. Our decision to terminate his employment related purely to his performance. Johncom as a company remains deeply committed to transformation and our record speaks for itself,” he added.
”As the Sunday Times mission statement asserts, we are committed to delivering an independent quality newspaper that sustains our democracy — and one that’s trusted by our readers and advertisers.
”The Sunday Times and its loyal readers, advertisers and employees deserve a top-quality editor. South Africa and the African continent deserve a top-quality Sunday Times. We are committed to the delivery of both,” Molusi stated.
He pointed out that in dealing with the matter of Tsedu’s dismissal, Johncom had sought to respect the necessary privacy between employer and employee. The company noted with regret, however, that Tsedu had not done the same. — I-Net Bridge