Supporting free and ethical media
Posted: 25 September 2008 | News - Newsletter | Categories:
This newsletter highlights two MMP activities that support free press. Firstly, the Save our SABC campaign to ensure the independence of our public broadcaster. Then, the complaint against the Daily Sun, whose coverage of the xenophobic attacks could be used to curb media freedom at a time where there are several threats to media freedom already. The third piece is a reflection on the use of images of dead bodies, why it happens and what alternatives exist.
Save our SABC
MMP has been to parliament twice to try ensure a free, independent SABC, through submissions on the draft and current Broadcasting Act Amendment Bill. The Save our SABC coalition includes:
· The Broadcast, Electronic Media and Allied Workers Union;
· Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa;
· The Congress of South African Trade Unions;
· The Freedom of Expression Institute;
· The Institute for the Advancement of Journalism;
· MISA South Africa (The South African National Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa);
· Media Monitoring Project;
· The National Consumer Forum;
· The Independent Producers Organisation;
· The South African History Archives;
· SANGONET;
· Prof. Anton Harber;
· Prof. Tawana Kupe;
· Ms. Justine Limpitlaw; and,
· Ms. Jeanette Minnie of Zambezi FoX.
Daily Sun “Alien” Complaint Appeal
On the 29th of May MMP and its partner, CORMSA, submitted a complaint to the Press Ombudsman about the use of the word alien by Daily Sun. MMP felt that such reporting also threatens the freedom of all media in South Africa, at a time when media freedom has already suffered various challenges. MMP has now been given leave to appeal the unfavourable ruling.
Read all about it!
Seeing dead people in the media
When are gruesome images justified? This piece explores this question with reference to images of dead bodies printed in the media in June. It also looks at creative alternatives to blood and gore.
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