Award-Winning Journalist Accuses Media24 of Fostering a Toxic Work Environment

Picture courtesy: (Hlali Ntsabo) Award winning journalist accused Media24 of hostile and toxic working environment.

(The Post News)- A multi-award-winning journalist Mihlali Ntsabo has spoken out about the ill treatment he has been receiving at his former work environment, News24.

Former News24 employee Ntsabo took to social media to highlight the intimidation and bullying he has experienced at Media24.

He shared a thread on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning, detailing the “hostile events” during his time at the company, which led him to file a complaint against Nokuthula Manyathi for workplace intimidation and bullying.
“So word got to me that Media24 is considering taking legal action against me, which is fine.

I want people to know the kind of toxicity that News24 editor-in-chief Adrian Basson has created and fostered at the place. I’m here to speak the truth,” he expressed.

He stated that he tried to be in communication with Basson via email, WhatsApp, and meetings about the matter, but no action has been taken to date.

These accusations specifically fall on Adrian, Nokuthula Manyathi, the multimedia editor, and Bertram Malgas, the deputy multimedia editor.

Despite his filing complaints about the work environment and misconduct, he was ignored, and his matter was not investigated by the HR department at Media24.

“It was quite clear that Media24 was doing all that it could to shield the multimedia editor,” the journalist posted on their thread. Ntsabo accused Maglas of distancing company policies and alleged that his medical needs were disregarded and that he misreported working hours.

He spoke up about health problems and being hospitalised due to work-related pressure and stress, but the HR officials, Basson, Baglas, and Manyathi, did not support him in any way but instead made matters worse.

“I had to work under and deal with an editor who would file days I had asked to work from home as sick leave,” he wrote.

The journalist publicly stated that he refuses to remain silent, while Media24 has declined to comment.

“Media24 does not comment on confidential or private matters related to staff or any other internal processes,” said Media24’s head of communication, Egbert de Waal.

As reported by the IOL publication, Bason could not comment on any of these allegations as he was on leave, along with Manyathi and the acting editor, Pieter du Toit, who were also unavailable for comment.

This is a matter that will continually develop among columnists and the public in reaction to the allegations about the entrusted media company.

These revelations have sparked concerns and discussions about workplace policies and culture in the media.