M-Net responds to Gareth Cliff’s lawsuit

TV broadcaster M-Net submitted an affidavit on 22 January opposing Gareth Cliff’s urgent application for his reinstatement as Idols SA judge.

The broadcaster explained its decision not to reinstate Cliff as the Idols SA judge for season 12 where auditions will take place on 30 January.

Cliff’s tweet on 4 January stating people do not understand free speech was posted only days after Penny Sparrow’s tweet where the country was involved in a heated debate on racism in South Africa.

M-Net CEO Yolisa Phahle said that whether intended or not, the tweet was widely perceived to be in defence of Sparrow’s right to make racist and derogatory statements. “The negative comments on social media created anger and division among South Africans,” said Phahle.

The broadcaster decided to review its decision to include Cliff as a judge in the upcoming Idols SA season in order to protect its brand. M-Net also argued that while it had already started negotiations with Cliff for season 12, nothing was finalised hence, they had a right to terminate the contract.

Phahle said that M-Net denies that it has in any way defamed Cliff or caused harm to his reputation and that any harm caused was a direct result of his own actions.

“M-Net stands by their decision to terminate its relationship with Cliff. We [are] firmly of the view that this decision was the correct one for Idols SA and M-Net. The statements made by Cliff demonstrated a clear lack of empathy for the history of South Africa and M-Net did not wish to participate in the further racially based divisions in the country,” said Phahle.

M-Net head of public relations Nondumiso Mabece said that at this point no one has been appointed to replace Gareth Cliff as Idols SA judge and that they are still considering what steps to take.

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