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editorial
Don’t shoot the messenger
The past twelve months have been trying times for our young democracy. The euphoria surrounding our miraculous transition has practically evaporated.
Consequently, the media’s role as the transmitters of neutral information has been subject to harsh criticism from leaders who feel that the media have a responsibility to practise "sunshine journalism" and stop highlighting our nation’s growing pains.
Deputy-President Thabo Mbeki has been particularly severe about the press and has ventured to suggest that a government news agency be established to counter the media’s perceived viewpoint.This is not good news. Neither was the subpoenaing of several of our newspaper editors, under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedures Act, to provide information to the police about the lynching of Rashaad Staggie.
Police Commissioner George Fivaz was bold enough to speak out against the Attorney General’s decision, correctly arguing that "police in a democracy cannot expect the media to compromise their independence by becoming mere extensions of investigative capacity."
Internally, the media have also experienced difficulty readjusting to the new "post-euphoria" stage. The relaunched SABC has experienced great difficulty keeping audiences and its role as public broadcaster is the subject of heated debate, as it grapples with grave losses in both advertising and licence revenues.
Newspapers have also had a difficult year with the 1996 All Media and Product Studies (AMPS) indicating shrinking readerships almost across the board. South Africa’s gay press is, however, no stranger to strife and this, the second issue of Stellenbosch Journalism Insight, endeavours to give readers a glimpse into the difficulties peculiar to that market.
In broad terms, this issue of SJI strives to build on last year’s first issue and provide a synopsis of developments, milestones and viewpoints regarding our precious,but much-maligned media over the last year.
Oliver Power
SJI 1996 Redaksie / SJI 1996 Editorial Staff
Editor Oliver Power Assistent-redakteurs Liezel de Lange, Riekie-Louise Human, Jan-Jan Joubert, Andrew Collins, Bruce Legg Advertising manager Ryk van Niekerk Voorblad Mauro Celotti Layout Estelle Ellis, Ida van Tonder Raadgewende redakteurs George Claassen, Terry Nel, Billy Trengove
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