Media Matters’ First Tuesday Bulletin

Posted: 22 March 2011 | News - Newsletter | Categories: Democracy and Governance, Media Freedom and Performance

It’s a special post human right’s day bulletin: our first ever Media Tuesday!!

What’s on the agenda?

  • Does our media afford human rights to homosexuals?
  • Hiring and firing the media – what’s happening?
  • The Wits Declaration – paving the way to a better media environment?
  • Media Matters need you – Election Watch, our new initiative!

“Homos” have human rights too?

A day before the country commemorated the Human Rights Day, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and the Freedom Front Plus blocked the Democratic Alliance’s motion in Parliament to congratulate a South African, Francois Nel, for winning Mr. Gay World 2011. The ACDP objected on religious grounds, with the party’s leader quoted on eNews saying that “homosexuality does not fall in line with Biblical teachings”. The ACDP is also reportedly opposed to Johannesburg hosting the Mr. Gay World competition in 2012. But the man in the centre of all this refused to let the block by Parliament’s reluctance to celebrate his win to get him down, and said he hoped to challenge homophobia in Africa.

This got us thinking about the portrayal of homosexuality in the media, and the messages sent out by media about homosexuality. Take local soap opera Generations for example. It features a homosexual couple (Senzo and Jason) in its script. If you have ever seen “Senzo” and “Jason” kiss please raise your hand (your voice, actually), because we could not help but notice that whenever they kiss, it is shown in a way that  hides the kiss so that the viewers cannot quite see the lips of the couple lock (that is if they do). As to why the kiss is hidden, we do not know! But what we have realised is that, when other (heterosexual) couples kiss on the soapie, the kiss is all there for the viewers to see.

The question here is: doesn’t the media (through programmes like Generations) also perpetuate such views as ACDP and FF Plus about homosexuality? Why is it that when it is a “straight” couple kissing it is ok enough to bare it all, but when it is a “gay” couple kissing, it is not? What lessons do Generations viewers get about homosexuality? We have just commemorated Human Rights Day, but what about gay rights? Do they feature in the whole “Rights for all” rhetoric? And, what about equality: are gay couples as equal as straight couples in the media? We would like your opinion on this matter. Based on your consumption of any form of media, tell us what you think of the portrayal of homosexuality and the messages being sent out.

Industry news and latest developments

The SABC officially announced on its website this morning the departure of Caesar Molebatsi on Friday. Molebatsi was an anchor of AM Live, on SAFm. Molebatsi ended his one year contract with the public broadcaster and decided not to renew the contract “to pursue other interest”. Rumour has it though that the decision to not renew the contract was due to some internal employer-employee disagreements.

But we understand that SABC’s response has been to draft in a temporary replacement. Honestly though, if the SABC were aware about Molebatsi’s decision not to renew his contract, shouldn’t they have tried to organise plan B in advance, or just get a permanent person to take over, given the prominence of the post? We will keep our ears on the ground for this one to hear what happens next and keep you posted, but do feel free to shout us out if you hear anything.

And those will not be the only developments we will be looking out for. The Sowetan editor Bongani Keswa was placed on special leave, to be replaced by Avusa group's public editor Thabo Leshilo as acting editor of the daily newspaper earlier this year. But then Leshilo later announced that he was  parting ways with the newspaper. So who’s editing Sowetan now?? We will also be on the look out for latest developments with regards to that post!

And what about Kuli Roberts? Wasn’t there supposed to be a disciplinary hearing following her controversial column – you know the one we’re talking about! Another thing we’re a bit perplexed about is that while Kuli Roberts’ column in Avusa’s Sunday World has been discontinued, she still continues to write for The Times (yes, The Times from Avusa, that’s the one!). For a controversy that captured so much media attention, and many many column inches, we for one would like to know how this story ends! What of the disciplinary proceedings? Why is it ok simply to axe her access to one platform, while the same publishing house gives her another? What has Avusa done to make sure this never happens again, with Kuli or any other commentator for that matter? We’re still looking for answers.

The “Wits Declaration” on Media Freedom and Responsibilities

The Regulation and Rights Conference was held at the University of the Witwatersrand on March 9 and 10, co-hosted by the SA National Editors’ Forum and Wits Journalism and featuring participants from 21 African countries. The participants reaffirmed their belief in media freedom, the need to fight for access to information and their support for self-regulation in their industry.

A declaration, named The “Wits Declaration”, was also adopted by acclamation and signed by some of the delegates of the conference. Others who attended the conference and who wish to add their signatures to the "Wits Declaration" can e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

We’d also like to find out what you think about the declaration. Is it an important step in securing media freedom in South Africa and why? Are these words capable of furthering a diverse, fair, ethical and balanced media environment? Are they likely to have any real impact? Check it out on journalism.co.za and let us know what you think!

Be our eyes on ears for Media Matters’ Election Watch

Yesterday Morning Live invited the Minister for Justice Jeff Radebe on to their programme to discuss Human Rights Day. Nothing strange about that I hear you say! And you may well ask why this interview is being mentioned in under “Elections.”

Well we nearly choked on our cereal when an interview that was supposed to address the day in question turned into cynical and unchecked electioneering. We heard veteran broadcaster and Morning Live presenter Vuyo Mbuli ask the Minister a valid question, raised by a previous contributor, about voter apathy.

Here’s Minister Radebe’s reply:

“I sympathise with him, when you think that his organisation is primarily here in Cape Town which is DA controlled. You know that when they came into office here the Democratic Alliance, they do some funny things like building open toilets. So it is with good cause that [he] should be protesting. But what we disagree with is on the issue of not voting. They need to exercise that democratic right to vote the ANC, that have shown since 1994 we have built more that 2.5 million houses...” (and the electioneering goes on!)

SERIOUSLY!!! Is this balanced? Is this not disingenuous? Or are we getting hot under the collar for nothing?

We’re posting the clip on our facebook page so that you can be the judge!

Is it ok that Jeff Radebe was introduced in his capacity as a government Minister, not as an ANC politician, or indeed canvasser?

Was it appropriate that there were no opposition party leaders or candidates present to deal with the Ministers claims?

Vuyo asked a question that had the potential to become an ANC vs DA issue, rather than about why in a 17 year old democracy people feel so disempowered that they are unwilling to cast their vote for either party. Did the presenter do enough to ensure that the Minister didn’t use this simply as a platform for his political party?

Which brings us to our newest Media Matters initiative: Elections Watch – Bias Patrol

Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is carrying out analysis of election coverage, but we want to involve the public in an ongoing interactive monitoring initiative. We want you to look out for any item – be it an article, radio or tv report – where you believe the media has intentionally or unintentionally shown a bias towards a political party in the run up to the local elections.

We’ve started a new discussion page on our facebook site where you can post you observations. If you see an item that you think is biased, go there and tell us three crucial things:

  • What was the item and where did it appear?
  • What party do you think benefited from this perceived bias?
  • And what should the media in question have done to ensure more balanced coverage?

If you can, also post a link to the item in question. You can also #electionwatch if you want to voice your views on twitter!

We’re sure that you, our media matters enthusiasts, will have plenty of views to share on the items selected – so lets get a debate going too!

For our part we will contact the media organisations that are named and shamed.

This is not about bashing or glorifying any one party, rather its trying to achieve the exact opposite. We want open, transparent, thorough and balanced election coverage, and we think this initiative will help hold the media accountable for their role in this.

To voice your views on these and any other stories find us on facebook and twitter, and tell your friends!