More on the public editor

March 19th, 2009

The idea of a public editor for the SABC is gaining traction. Asked to expand on the idea for the Save our SABC campaign, I said the following:

The SABC has to be seen to be independent and fair, and one way to demonstrate this would be the appointment of a Public Editor, a move undertaken by many newspapers around the world in recent years. Public Editors can have two roles: to receive and adjudicate on complaints from the public; and to actively work to improve relationships and interaction with the audience. For the Sunday Times, the recent panel which inquired into their editorial practices and policies recommended that these be combined into one job. The main purpose, however, would be to ensure that complaints can be dealt with quickly and fairly and not by the subject of the complaint. This person also serves as a compliance officer in respect of the broadcaster’s editorial code, and a person to whom journalists can turn to for advice in difficult situations.

Critical questions arise as to the powers and independence of Public Editor. In some cases, this person merely comments and recommends responses to the editor. In others, this person has the power to order corrections, retractions, apologies or disciplinary action. I would suggest the latter would be appropriate for the SABC, and would also suggest that this person be appointed by the board and operate separately from the current editorial structures. All complaints would be directed to his/her office and he/she would run a website dealing with complaints, discussions of contentious issues and recommendations of how to deal with them.

Although there is potential for this person to come into conflict with the editor, a wise editor would see that this can strengthen his or her position considerably, provide a safeguard against errors, and remove the responsibility of making difficult rulings on contentious cases involving one’s staff and colleagues. It is important that there is a clear delineation of responsibilities and powers.

A word of caution: a public editor does not deliver independence and fairness on its own, but it may encourage the emergence of a different culture of accountability among journalists. It provides a quick and effective way to show a commitment to this culture.

Entry Filed under: Anton Harber, Journalism, Media regulation