MTN SA's Ryan Gould, GM of brand and communications, has submitted the below letter to ITWeb in reference to entitled MTN SA boss faces contempt of court charge:
The article published on ITWeb, 11 March January 2013, headlined "MTN SA boss faces contempt of court charge" refers.
MTN SA acknowledges that we were offered an opportunity to respond before the article was published. However, we take serious exception to the sensational nature of the article.
MTN is particularly disturbed by the negative bias against our Brand, as portrayed in the headline. You have the documents pertaining to this case, and possibly investigated the story. As a result, you should have known that this interim order was finalised in the absence of MTN.
MTN is equally perplexed by the lack of balance in your reporting. We believe the article lacks integrity as it is based on one-sided information that has not been argued before a court of law.
MTN takes exception to the bizarre headline which singles out our CEO, when it should be known that in matters such as these, it's standard practice that letters are addressed to him. We view this as an attack on his integrity, as your actions can cause damage to his reputation.
MTN is a proponent of robust journalism, as we believe that freedom of speech is the cornerstone of our democracy. However, in the same vein, our belief is that reportage should be informed by factual information that can be proven irrefutably.
We therefore request that your organisation is mindful of the alarmist nature of stories that are written in the absence of a balanced view.
Yours Sincerely,
Mobile Technology Network (Pty) Ltd.
Ryan Gould
GM: brand and communications
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