Commenting on the saga, veteran newspaper editor and journalist Raymond Louw told Bizcommunity.com today: "It is unheard of for the key staff of a new newspaper enterprise to resign on the eve of the first issue, especially as they have no job to go to.
"This suggests that the disagreements between the editorial and the management were extremely serious and raises the question how the rest of the staff will react, though their reaction will be tempered by the fact that they may not readily find new jobs should they also resign.
"Their response may be delayed by the need to find alternative employment first," Louw added.
When the newspaper was unveiled in July, there was an indication that it will be 'media-friendly' towards the ANC-led government. The New Age is owned and published by TNA Media, whose owners have close links with the ANC.
'Coerced' into toeing party line?
And speculation has been rife that the editorial staff might be 'coerced' into toeing the party line, despite editor Vuyo Mvoko telling Bizcommunity.com in an interview that he would fight for the publication's editorial independence.
A source told Bizcommunity.com today that the resignations might have been tendered after a meeting with the ANC's top hierarchy. "They met with Gwede Mantanshe all day yesterday, and I am sure that was the turning point," the source said on condition of anonymity, without disclosing the outcome of the meeting.
So far, Mvoko and his 'rebels' have refused to disclose the reasons of their resignation.
Louw said, "It is difficult to fathom why the staff refused to give reasons for their resignation on professional grounds when it is normal practice to do so."
Louw said that their departure could further delay the appearance of the paper, adding that the newspaper might suffer from a loss of credibility among readers and advertisers as a stable product. Despite night editor Jeremy Shepherd Smith being appointed acting editor, Louw believes that his job will be seriously hampered by the loss of the senior staff [as pointed out on Twitter, the newspaper is already advertising the five newly vacant positions on its site in popup window - managing ed].
"This will also be a financial setback for TNA Media head, Indian businessman Atul Gupta, who has become a close ally of President Jacob Zuma and former minister in the presidency Essop Pahad," Louw, who is currently the editor-publisher of the weekly current affairs newsletter Southern Africa Report, said.
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Last updated at 9.55am on 21 October 2010.
