AfriForum slams international media, after New York Times ‘neo-Nazi’ claim

Representatives of AfriForum are pleading with international media publications to ‘report the facts fairly’, after they were criticised in a recent New York Times article. The piece went onto link farm murder protesters with neo-Nazis.

Are AfriForum being represented fairly?

The lobby group feels like it’s getting a raw deal from the overseas press, saying that they are often discussed in ‘contemptuous terms’ by organisations with alleged political agendas. They’re now launching a campaign, which asks the world’s media to ‘report accurately’ on SA.

AfriForum are seething that minority groups – including white South Africans – are supposedly victims of misinformation, and the New York Times is now in the firing line. They drew neo-Nazis into the discussion about farm murders, much to the disgust of the organisation.

“AfriForum has taken note of international newspapers that spread misinformation about the plight of minorities in South Africa. The recent article in the New York Times is an example of this. It claims that calls to prioritize farm murders are the work of “neo-Nazi” marginalized groups.”

“The New York Times story refers contemptuously to AfriForum and its campaigns to make the world aware of farm murders and that the government is threatening property rights in South Africa.”

AfriForum statement

Farm murder/neo-Nazi link leaves a sour taste

Another concern expressed by AfriForum is that their right of reply is also being stifled. Referring to the New York Times, Head of Policy and Action for the group Ernst Roets lashed out at an alleged refusal to publish a response to claims made about farm murders.

“AfriForum requested that the newspaper correct certain factual errors with regard to South Africa, but was informed by the publication that they had decided not to publish AfriForum’s reaction to the article.”

“These newspapers are not willing to publish articles to correct false allegations and also do not want to allow those who have been misrepresented to respond to those false reports.”

Ernst Roets