ANN7
| ANN7 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 2013 |
| Network | DSTV ANN7 |
| Owned by | Infinity Media Essel Media Oakbay Investments |
| Picture format | 16:9 (576i, SDTV) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area |
South Africa Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Headquarters | Midrand, South Africa |
| Website | www |
|
Availability
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|
| Satellite | |
| DSTV | 405 |
ANN7 (African News Network 7) is South Africa's third 24-hour news channel, owned by the controversial Gupta family, and broadcast on Multichoice's DStv satellite television service. The channel's launch in August 2013 was initially met with public mockery when numerous technical issues and mistakes made by untrained presenters went viral online.
The channel has been accused of being a pro-President Zuma mouthpiece, through Zuma's close financial and political connections to the highly controversial Gupta family, which have previously come under fire for exploiting their political connections for personal financial gain.
ANN7 is primarily controlled by Infinity Media Networks which is owned jointly by Essel Media (35%), Oakbay Investments, the Gupta family’s investment vehicle (35%), Mabengela Investments (21%) and a further 9% has been reserved for staff and management. Mabengela Investments is a broad-based black economic empowerment company of which Duduzane Zuma holds a 45% stake. Other shareholders are Rajesh Kumar Gupta (25%), Aerohaven Trading (15%), Fidelity Investments (10%), Mfazi Investments (3%) and Ashu Chawla (2%). Additionally, the Gupta Media conglomerate control and operate The New Age, a South African daily newspaper which was ranked the 'Most influential English daily newspaper’ by Mediatenor in the last quarterly results.
The international news broadcaster Al Jazeera English has alleged that Zuma's close relationship with the Guptas has "translated into friendly coverage in the outlets they own," such as ANN7 and The New Age newspaper.
Programming provided by ANN7 includes news segments, sports highlights, political and news-based talk-shows with round-table discussions, nationwide weather reports, and lifestyle, entertainment and special interest news
The ANN7 studios, operating out of their purpose-built Midrand studios, employs a team of 76 journalists. According to its website, Africa News Network 7 (ANN7) will focus on "constructive, nation-building stories in the interests of building a culture of unity and pride."
ANN7 launched its Election 2014 campaign to coincide with ANC’s January 8 announcement, followed by the State of the Nation address, extensive coverage of the launch of various political party’s manifestos and regular news updates in its news bulletins.
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