Comments on: Somebody teach the SABC the basics of journalism http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/2010/01/21/somebody-teach-the-sabc-the-basics-of-journalism/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:35:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Anton http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/2010/01/21/somebody-teach-the-sabc-the-basics-of-journalism/#comment-252693 Anton Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:54:11 +0000 http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/?p=630#comment-252693 I can understand one doing it, as you say, if one has no choice. But that does not explain why it was offered to me out of the blue. What we really need to do is convince the SABC to make it a general policy not to give questions beforehand. The SABC is powerful enough to make politicians accept this, if there is the will to stand firm on journalistic principles. I can understand one doing it, as you say, if one has no choice. But that does not explain why it was offered to me out of the blue. What we really need to do is convince the SABC to make it a general policy not to give questions beforehand. The SABC is powerful enough to make politicians accept this, if there is the will to stand firm on journalistic principles.

]]> By: Blue http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/2010/01/21/somebody-teach-the-sabc-the-basics-of-journalism/#comment-252692 Blue Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:02:45 +0000 http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/?p=630#comment-252692 In defence for the SABC journalist, as a community radio journalist myself this is something I struggle with. People always ask for questions beforehand and if I say our policy does not allow us to do that then they tell me "sorry, no questions no interview". So to make things easier you just say sure I'll email you an overview on what the interview is about. Government officials are the worst especially the Western Cape dept of Health. So as an expect in journalism, what do you suggest we as trainees do when someone pulls that stunt - Say thanks and not do the interview or think about my listeners and compromise? In defence for the SABC journalist, as a community radio journalist myself this is something I struggle with. People always ask for questions beforehand and if I say our policy does not allow us to do that then they tell me “sorry, no questions no interview”. So to make things easier you just say sure I’ll email you an overview on what the interview is about. Government officials are the worst especially the Western Cape dept of Health.

So as an expect in journalism, what do you suggest we as trainees do when someone pulls that stunt - Say thanks and not do the interview or think about my listeners and compromise?

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