Two cases to watch
There are two fascinating current legal actions worth keeping an eye on for their wider impact on our media.
Continue Reading Add comment March 9th, 2009
Watch the Biowatch case
It is worth keeping an eye on the Constitution Court fight this week between corporate giant Monsanto and the NGO Biowatch, because it will define the space that NGO’s have to use the legal system.
Continue Reading 1 comment February 16th, 2009
Get some popcorn. This is going to be a long show …
One things has become clear – the saga of the SABC board is going to drag on for months, leaving the organisation with uncertain leadership at a time when it is under serious political and financial pressure.
Continue Reading Add comment February 11th, 2009
End of the saga of the president’s girlfriends
I was struck by how dignified and appropriate was the President’s response to the collapse of the story of his pregnant, young girlfriend. He chose his words carefully, and he chose them well. “I will drop a line to the Press Ombudsman,” he said.
Continue Reading Add comment February 10th, 2009
Zuma’s wives, Motlanthe’s non-wives
The right to privacy, specifically for ANC and national leaders, is going to be a focus of attention this week, after some Sunday papers took us deep into the private life of President Kgalema Motlanthe. The did not push us as far as the Sowetan did last Monday, when they told us he goes to bed each night alone “like a monk”. But the Sunday Independent did let us know that apart from his estranged wife, he appears to have two lady friends, one of whom is half his age and pregnant.
Continue Reading Add comment January 25th, 2009
Obama’s most important policy switch?
One of new US President Barack Obama’s first executive orders has reversed the Bush administration move towards secrecy. It is a shift that will have long-lasting impact.
Continue Reading Add comment January 22nd, 2009
Zuma’s privacy - an oxymoron?
Is ANC president Jacob Zuma’s polygamy a private matter? The ANC said it was this week, when questioned about his his latest marriage plans. But I am not so sure.
Continue Reading Add comment January 16th, 2009
The SABC and the ANC
The SABC should have a protocol to guide their news bosses on interactions with political parties. And here are some suggestions.
Continue Reading 2 comments November 9th, 2008
Change of tone from the Presidency
Editors are extremely positive about their meeting with the new President on Saturday morning. It seems that, contrary to meetings with the previous incumbent, which were marked by attacks on the media and on individual editors, the tone was “warm, friendly and accommodating - they listened to us” was how one participant described it.
Continue Reading 2 comments November 3rd, 2008
Goedgedacht discussion
Government had taken on the role of media critic, but its true role should be to promote and facilitate media diversity - in other words, implement their own policy - I argued in a paper at the Goedgedacht Forum this last weekend. On the other hand, editors must edit, I said. If we want government not to decide what is distasteful in our publications, then editors must make those decisions.
Continue Reading Add comment November 2nd, 2008
Grab that Zapgun!
A few years ago, Zapiro was named Journalist of the Year, and there was much applause. I thought he was an excellent choice for this recognition, but wondered whether he was really a journalist.
Continue Reading Add comment October 31st, 2008
The best of times, the worst of times
I waited anxiously this weekend to see how the Sunday Times would follow up their dramatic Transnet story of the previous week. And they wrote … nothing. Not a mention. Not a hint. Not a peep.
Continue Reading Add comment October 31st, 2008
Whoopsiology: the science of journalism?
A couple of weeks ago, a reporter asked me to comment on the frequency with which political leaders were claiming they were misquoted in the media. She misquoted me.
Continue Reading Add comment October 31st, 2008
