Although EWN journalist Barry Bateman has been suspended without pay for a month, he’ll still be able to get the equivalent of his salary thanks to crowdfunding.
A well-wisher, Jonathan Witt, launched the crowdfunding campaign earlier this week and posted the details on Twitter.
His aim was to raise enough money to cover Bateman’s monthly salary. On Thursday, he tweeted that they had already reached the target.
Witt wrote, “I have deleted my tweet about the crowdfunding for @barrybateman. A target has been reached which is in line with his monthly salary, and as a result no further funds are required. Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed.”
Bateman thanks well-wishers
Bateman similarly posted a message on Twitter thanking well-wishers who donated.
“Thanks to everyone for the support. It’s greatly appreciated. I’m now going to put my head into the books – my first of four exams is little under two weeks away,” he said.
The journalist drew the ire of his employer after a viral video showed him using a swear word against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema in September.
In addition to his suspension, EWN handed him a final written warning which will be valid for one year.
Apology
Bateman also publicly issued an apology to Malema, his employer and the public, conceding that his “conduct was unjustifiable.”
He added, “As a senior journalist and a citizen of SA, I have a duty to uphold the highest ethical standards and professional conduct, whatever the circumstances or differences I may have with other newsmakers.”
However, EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu appeared to reject the apology in a tweet earlier this week.
He wrote, “This is not genuine. They want to reinstate him because he’s of the the most loyal racist members of STRATCOM.
“He can’t even hide his deep hatred of black leaders who confront white supremacy with determination [sic].”