South Africa

Press, 24 February 1987, Page 20

South Africa

Sir, —After an absence of two weeks, I have just read Alistair Pringle’s letter (February 9). South African visitors to New Zealand and New Zealanders returning here are amazed at the “anti” slant to news about South Africa. For example, printed articles from the “Economist” always criticise the South African Government but never the terrorist forces arrayed against it. A recent “Economist” article says: “In general, the A.N.C. has refrained from attacks on ‘soft civilian targets’.” Oliver Tambo said in an interview with “Newsweek” (September 9, 1985): “The A.N.C. will no longer try to prevent death or injury to white civilians in South Africa and expects a bloodbath there...from now on, whether civilians are likely to die will not be a consideration.” The same "Economist” article gives the A.N.C. national executive “hajf or less” communist members, while other sources gives % to %. It is high time our news media made some effort to obtain news from other than South African detractors instead of continually presenting a onesided view.—Yours, etc., L. R. WILKINSON. February 20, 1987.