By Alec Hogg
The dark art of media manipulation has been taking flack recently with focus on the proliferation of “fake news” websites. But rarely have we seen such a powerful riposte than yesterday’s masterful strike by South African journalist Stephen Grootes.
The broadcaster and writer was invited by London communications shop Bell Pottinger to interview Ajay Gupta, eldest of the crony capitalist brothers who have so obviously “captured” South African President Jacob Zuma and assorted members of his cabinet. Despite being forced to sign a ream of legal documents including a clause that Bell Pottinger would edit the final product, Grootes agreed to do it (who wouldn’t?).
The plan has now exploded in the expensive agency’s face. Firstly, because Grootes showed none of the expected gratitude for being given this “scoop”, firing in his questions without mercy. Although the interview was an hour, 23 minutes of it has been leaked into the public domain.
Watching the video shows why Bell Pottinger wanted to keep it under wraps. Their client comes across as a bumbling, incoherent liar. If ever confirmation was needed of Dr Somadoda Fikena’s assertion that the Guptas are little more than “coarse, over-excited, in-your-face amateurs” here it is. After this performance, captured ANC cadres should be scrambling for the front of the State Witness queue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkK5eZIJKlc