Journalist Nickolaus Bauer Apologises for “Ill-Conceived” #BlackMonday Tweet

ENCA journalist Nickolaus Bauer has apologised “unreservedly and unequivocally” for his tweet on #BlackMonday which included two photographs, taken years ago, as if they had been taken on Monday 30 October 2017. The photos showed a couple wearing the apartheid-era South African flag, and the burning of the new flag.

He acknowledged he had “misrepresented” the protest action “by many South Africans” and said his post was “ill-conceived”.

In a very wordy apology on eNCA – entitled “I apologise”, Bauer acknowledged that even if the photos had been of the day “they did not represent the majority of those who had gone on those protests”.

He said he had failed as a journalist in not verifying their origin.

Bauer explained that his own “personal anger against, and political opposition to lingering racism in South Africa may have informed my actions, but they do not excuse them”.

He said his attempt to be a “productive participant” in South Africa, which is “blighted by issues of racism”, had backfired – not only on himself but on the very cause so close to his heart.

Bauer said the protests had been “organized to oppose murder in South Africa’s rural areas and I could have seen them as a rallying point to oppose violence in any form”.

He said he still feels that “racism and displays of symbols of white supremacy are fundamentally unacceptable in the democratic society we all hope to build” and that he hopes future campaigns against violence will be “characterized by unity of purpose among all South Africans”.

The journalist said he will work with those who teach about ‘race’ and racism to learn better ways to “channel my desire to combat racism”.

Bauer ended his apology with: “Once more, I apologise unreservedly for my ill-considered conduct and hope that with time my misguided actions on 30 October 2017 can be judged in light of my full record as a journalist and a citizen.”

Read Nickolaus Bauer’s full apology here: www.enca.com/opinion/i-apologise

On #BlackMonday I made a severe error. This is my apology. pic.twitter.com/nDnxuKtiYD

— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) November 3, 2017

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Watch Carte Blanche’s #BlackMonday investigation: This week the current affairs programme investigates the rising farm attacks tensions, and asks what are the solutions. Available to expats from Tuesday. If you’re overseas – subscribe to Showmax to watch Carte Blanche (and other popular shows from home). FREE 14-day trial.