‘Tweeting’ sports anchor reinstated

iol news pic Lance Witten

INLSA

eTV Anchor man Lance Witten at the studio at Long Kloof Studios. Photo: Melinda Stuurman

 

Johannesburg – ENews Channel Africa sports anchor Lance Witten will resume his duties after he was suspended for comments on the social network Twitter, the channel said on Wednesday.

Witten would be back on air on Thursday.

“A disciplinary inquiry was held and the chairperson felt that Witten took full responsibility for the tweets, showed remorse and acknowledged that the tweets were hurtful and inappropriate,” the channel said in a statement.

Witten posted a tweet two weeks ago about the death of a woman at a concert in Cape Town by the United States rock band Linkin Park.

He tweeted: “Linkin Park is so badass, people are dying to see ’em.”

The woman was killed and 19 people were injured when a temporary scaffolding collapsed at the Cape Town stadium where the band was performing.

Witten was issued with a written warning. He will be required to attend social media training.

Group head of news Patrick Conroy said: “Witten has been a model employee both on camera and behind the scenes. While his tweets were unacceptable the chairperson felt dismissal would be excessive. He has apologised and taken responsibility for his actions.”

The channel said it was satisfied with the internal disciplinary process and considered the matter closed. – Sapa

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‘Tweeting’ sports anchor reinstated