Johannesburg - Eyewitness News and Primedia should admit that the cartoon they published was racist, the Congress of SA Trade Union said on Friday.
“Cosatu demands that EWN, and Primedia must admit that the cartoon was racist in the way it falsely portrayed ANC voting clowns as exclusively black,” said spokesman Patrick Craven in a statement.
He said the media house should issue a formal apology and refuse to continue publishing work by the cartoonists responsible.
Craven said the cartoon was grossly offensive and racist.
The cartoon, by Dr Jack & Curtis, titled “Congress of Clowns. And the clowns who voted them in”, was posted on EWN's website and subsequently removed. It depicts newly appointed ministers as clowns with big red noses.
On the side is another group of clowns, representing voters, who are darkly shaded and stand and watch, accompanied by a description reading “we the poephols”.
EWN said in a statement on its website that an apology had been issued and the cartoon removed.
“We at EWN apologise for any unintended offence caused. We at EWN will continue to strive for free speech and editorial independence,” it said.
Sapa