Tv personality and choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung turns his back on the South African National Editor's Forum (Sanef), refusing to apologise for blatantly attacking the two Journalists.
It seems that the latest scandal surrounding Mr Mhlongo-Motaung keeps growing and growing. The choreographer was approached by two journalists on separate occasions, Sunday Word acting editor, Kabelo Khumalo and City Press Journalist, Julia Madibogo.
Madibogo has approached Mr Mhlongo Motaung on his side of the story on the speculations of his divorce due to allegations that his marriage was on the rocks but instead of commenting on the subject, he proceeded to insult the journalist.
Khumalo had approached the male in attempts to get his comment on the allegations his facing for supposedly stealing Hasting Moeng's idea of stealing his idea for his cooking show, Dinner at Somizi's but instead of telling his own story, the Tv personality insulted Khumalo as well as his parents.
Somizi was later on approached by Sanef, who called on him to apologise but he refused stating that there was no need for one, his reason being that he has been bullied by the media for too long.
"Somizi was wrong to publish a journalist's personal information and ask followers to invade her privacy".
Public officials, figures or celebrities need to understand that they are in the public eyes, they need to understand that what they say, or do is being recorded.
The two journalists were doing their jobs and as a public figure, you being in the public eye requires updates and lifestyle articles surrounding you as an influencer. Somizi was wrong for attacking the journalists, yes, he had his reasons that he considered being valid but those reasons were just emotions. He feels bullied by the media but that does not give him the right to bully, it does not give him the right to attack journalists, invade privacy, and allow his fans to harass them further.
And he needs to apologise.
Somizi's responsibility is to ensure that anything that is published is honest and based on facts, and it's his responsibility to handle negative comments accordingly.
The same applies to journalists. Journalists have a responsibility and ethic to follow to ensure that what they report is honest, true and if opinionated, the opinion is based on facts and that they are not biased.
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