The media fraternity needs to be seen to be doing something about ethical breaches and going back to basics if it hopes to restore some credibility that has been lost over the years, it emerged during a panel discussion on Wednesday.

The panel discussion was hosted by the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) in light of its own ongoing inquiry into media ethics and credibility.

“We need to be seen to be doing something in the same way we write stories and demand the government take action against bad apples who pilfer state coffers,” said Sanef’s acting Gauteng regional convenor Hopewell Radebe.

“If our own journalists are found wanting, it unfortunately paints us all with the same brush and discredits our craft.”

Former Cape Times editor Tyrone August said the industry was in a “bit of a bother”, even though he believed there was still hope.

Juniorisation of the newsroom

Referring to a rise in complaints to the press ombudsman last year, August added ethical breaches could arguably be as a result of negligence or juniorisation of the newsroom but could also point toward more willful or malicious behaviour.

He said many complaints against journalists were found not to be fair, accurate or truthful. Some journalists even refused to give a right of reply.

“I think we are in serious trouble if journalists find themselves getting into trouble for really, what should be minor issues,” added August.

Other concerns included single source stories, the use of anonymous sources and confusion about the public interest versus an individual’s right to privacy.

August said the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, law and press code provided fairly clear guidelines for journalists. 

Professional training and mentorship should also be revisited.

“Ethics is a very tricky business. We can never resolve it completely but if we follow the basics, we have at least circumvented some of the problems we encountered in recent years.”

Professor Wallace Chuma from UCT’s Centre for Film and Media Studies said it was difficult to rebuild credibility once eroded, and the effects might only be felt in years to come.

Normalisation of unethical behaviour

The problem was far from just a local one, and all the journalists he interviewed in Zimbabwe for a study on media ethics admitted to the normalisation of unethical behaviour.

Reasons for this included an absence of thought and moral leadership in newsrooms, complaints about not being paid well and a systemic strategy to remove senior journalists and replace them with young, pliant ones whom politicians could call on.

Chuma said the commercialisation of the media had led to important practices and stories being cut, along with fact-checking.

“One of the things that needs to happen is to sit down with journalists, young journalists and get a sense of what it is that they are going through.”

Ayesha Ismail, a veteran journalist who is working as an eNCA and France24 correspondent, said when she worked for an alternative newspaper during apartheid, journalism was seen as a noble profession.

“We were very meticulous in making dead sure that our facts were 100% accurate because we knew people were watching us, the mainstream media were watching us like hawks,” she added.

“The police would try to get information from us so they could then go arrest people who spoke to us. It taught us to check our facts and to make sure everything that was printed was accurate. One thing the system could not fail us on was accuracy.”

Brown envelope journalism

Ismail agreed ethical breaches such as brown envelope journalism appeared to be a common practice she noticed among journalists when working in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya years ago.

She was shocked when it emerged as a practice in South Africa too.

“While journalists should be scrutinised, one should also look at the gatekeepers such as news editors and sub-editors.

“Why aren’t the gatekeepers being held responsible as well?” she asked.

Organisations or members of the public who have any evidence of ethical breaches in the media have been encouraged to make their submissions to the Satchwell media ethics and credibility inquiry. 

The deadline for submissions has been extended to January 31, 2020.

DA Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela’s withdrawal in the race to become interim leader of the party was done in order to avoid splitting votes for John Steenhuisen, three sources in the DA have told News24.

Madikizela, who is believed to be in the faction supporting Steenhuisen, bowed out from the race on Monday, News24 revealed.

This leaves Steenhuisen and Makashule Gana as the only candidates contesting the election, which will take place this weekend.

READ | Bonginkosi Madikizela pulls out of DA leadership race

Speaking to News24, Madikizela said he had been advised by leaders in the party to withdraw and focus his efforts on rebuilding trust in the DA in the Western Cape.

All three sources said the “classical liberal faction” had promised Madikizela to lobby support from delegates in his bid to become the DA’s federal leader at the 2020 elective congress.

“People have a right to speculate. Every time, as leaders in government, you will always be confronted with difficult choices. Ultimately, I will raise my hand to lead the party, but timing is everything in politics,” Madikizela said.

A federal council member who spoke to News24 predicted that Steenhuisen would win the race for interim leader with an outright majority. The party insider said Steenhuisen was better placed to move the classical liberals’ agenda forward. 

“There is no race. It’s almost as if Steenhuisen is uncontested. Gana does not have support. Even with the progressives, he is seen as an outcast.”

Another source close to the party’s leadership added that Steenhuisen was better placed to lead the party, given his position as parliamentary leader. 

‘He also has tea with Helen’

“There was this narrative driven by the media that the DA would not survive after (Mmusi) Maimane. The by-elections are proof that the classical liberals and Zille are rebuilding. There is also this shift from the Good party members in the Western Cape back to the DA, which has emboldened them. They have a surge.

“Given how the votes went in the federal council elections, they have the numbers too. Steenhuisen is better placed than Madikizela to drive the party’s agenda forward. To split a vote could have caused another problem. It’s better that we all vote for one candidate,” the source said. 

Zille’s election as federal council chair led to the resignation of three party leaders – Maimane, Herman Mashaba and Athol Trollip – in what has been dubbed as a “blue week” for the party.  

A third party member, who is a provincial leader, said the interim leadership race did not matter in the bigger scheme of things.

“Steenhuisen is well positioned to take the lead as interim leader. Madikizela would have only caused unnecessary tension. I understand why they convinced him to withdraw. The man is ambitious. He also has tea with Helen. He is deep in that circle. It makes sense. It’s a shame for him that he believes Helen will endorse his race next year. History has taught me not to trust anything she says. 

“As for us, we lost against Helen. We are still licking our wounds and strategising on the next congress. We need someone fresh and untainted by factions. That candidate has not been identified,” the provincial leader remarked.  

The rainbow nation reloaded – let’s not mess it up again

Kolisi and Erasmus’ rainbow nation has no room for holy cows. With the greatest of respect, this is not a time for only singing “Shosholoza” and holding hands and thinking things will change, writes Adriaan Basson.

Six-year-old Belgian shepherd police dog Ounooi is in a stable condition after she was stabbed by a suspect on Saturday morning.

Ounooi is attached to the Port Alfred K9 unit, and responded to a housebreaking complaint with her human SAPS members in the early hours of Saturday, said Mali Govender from the South African Police (SAPS).

The team followed a lead to the beach in the small Eastern Cape town when Ounooi’s handler spotted the suspect.

Govender explained that Ounooi’s handler warned the suspect to stop and he ignored the command. He then unleashed Ounooi.

“The handler then released his patrol dog – Ounooi and whilst she attempted to apprehend the suspect, the offender then started to stab Ounooi on her upper body and in the chest area.

“Weak from the stab wounds, Ounooi collapsed and the suspect ran towards the water.

“Ounooi was taken to the local vet for medical treatment. The stab wounds damaged muscles close to her heart. She is currently in a stable condition and has been booked off duty to recuperate,” Govender explained.

The suspect could not be found, and the search is ongoing, said police.

Port Alfred police Cluster Commander, Brigadier Morgan Govender wished Ounooi a heartfelt and speedy recovery.

“Ounooi has displayed extreme dedication, bravery and courage throughout her four years in the service and has been instrumental in apprehending several suspects whilst on duty.  The handler will be referred for trauma counselling.”

Govender condemned the attack on Ounooi.

“An attack on a police official is an attack on the state and similarly, an attack on any of our serving canine or equine personnel is an attack on the state.

“These faithful animals serve alongside their human police officers of the SAPS with passion, discipline and dedication,” said Govender.

Veteran radio personality Xolani Gwala will receive a special provincial official category two funeral, the Presidency said on Friday.

Gwala will be laid to rest at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday. 

The 44-year-old died in the early hours of last Friday morning, following a lengthy battle with colon cancer, Channel24 reported.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the official funeral and instructed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday evening.

READ:The world is indeed a lesser place without him – Sanef mourns veteran journalist Xolani Gwala