Last week Somizi was sent media enquiries by City Press and Sunday World regarding stories that journalists were working on. Look bafwethu, It is well within our duty as reporter's to ask questions and to give the other party a chance to give their side of the story.
But instead of responding to a request for comment, Somizi decided to respond by insulting the journalists. Not only that, he posted said questions on his social media platforms and published the contact numbers of the journalists.
“So @city_press has become a tabloid ... ok ... two can play the game ... to stand a chance to win I don’t know what dial the number and let Julia know what it feels like to have yo privacy invaded unprovoked.”
“I’m not the one to be bullied especially by media ... azishe ... I’ll make u just as famous...” said Somizi on a post which is now removed from his social media
What followed was a barrage of calls to the City Press reporter from Somizi’s followers. The followers may not have meant to cause any harm to her, as some just called to say they were told to call before hanging up, but such behaviour should be condemned in its entirety.
A media 24 Journalist Timothy Molobi penned down an open letter to SABC and Multichoice to take action against Somizi.
Somizi is a public figure who commands millions of followers. You are an influencer and you should be leading by example. As a person who many youngsters look up to, what message are you sending to them? Are you telling them that it is right to insult journalists like this? Remember, monkey see, monkey do. Your followers will learn that this is how one treats the media. Shame on you!
Being a public figure is the life you chose and you are always going to be under scrutiny. We will keep asking questions, whether you like or not. You are not going to silence us by using intimidation tactics. If the kitchen is too hot for you then get out.
Such bullying tactics won’t work; they’ll only serve to spur us on to dig more. You are no holy cow, you are not untouchable.
You got away with the Fikile Mbalula issue when you made your private conversation public, when you claimed in a video on social media that Mbalula had told you that President Cyril Ramaphosa would extend the nationwide lockdown. But I think you have crossed the line now and we need to call you to order.
We hope your employers – who ironically are media houses, the SABC and MultiChoice – will come out and take a stand to protect journalists’ rights and media freedom.
There are channels to follow when you are not happy with stories written about you, Somizi. You can either approach the office of the Press Ombudsman or the courts – as you always threaten to do.
You are sailing in dangerous waters, for if anything happens to these journalists you will be the first suspect after sicking your supporters on them.
You should be the last person to diss journalists, the same people who helped to raise your profile.
This morning on radio 702's breakfast show with Bongani Bigwa, Somizi said "I will not apologize for standing up for myself, like I said on my Instagram the only thing I'm apologizing for was to publicize her personal number. I would rather die standing than to live on my knees begging for bread. I'm tired of being bullied by the media. I'm going to fight it the only way I know how...."