ANC: media 'self-appointed
opposition'

GRAHAMSTOWN -- The media have been
accused by the ANC of appointing themselves as
the official opposition because of their belief that
the organisation is too strong.

ANC provincial Eastern Cape spokesman Mcebisi
Bata attacked the media during an interview
concerning the upcoming elections and the
United Democratic Movement.

"Quite clearly, the media has taken it upon
themselves that the ANC is too strong, so it is
playing the role of official opposition itself."

He cited newspaper editorials -- which he said
told people the ANC should be prevented from
obtaining a two-thirds majority -- as an example
of the way in which the media had overstepped
the boundaries of objectivity.

"We are not saying that the media should not be
critical, just that they should not be telling
people what to do."

Mr Bata said the UDM received attention which
was "out of proportion" to its size.

The ANC election strategy would focus on telling
people to renew the 86percent mandate given to
it in the Eastern Cape in 1994 so it could
continue the work it had begun.

He said the ANC aimed to get back their
86percent majority -- and to improve on it. --
ECN