Resources - Media Analysis
Media Monitoring Africa releases periodic media analysis pieces looking at current issues in the media though a human rights lens.
- Putting Children First – This is no gag
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The last few days have seen extensive coverage across all media of a white boy, Happy Sindane, who told police that he had been abducted by a domestic worker when he was 6-years old.
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- Victims of War or Victims of the Media
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As the conflict in Iraq reaches new stages, similarly so does the coverage as provided by the news media. Increasingly newspapers are carrying more and more graphic images of dead bodies and injured people.
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- The representation of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gendered people
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The Bill of Rights enshrined in the South African Constitution clearly and unambiguously outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender and marital status (Act 108 of 1996, chapter 2, paragraph 9). Yet Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gendered (GLB&T) people remain stigmatised and marginalised in South African society. GLB&T people are confronted on a daily by social and institutional discrimination and little is known about the challenges and concerns facing them.
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- Media Coverage of the Budget Speech 2002
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The level of coverage of the budget was overwhelming. Broadcast news was dominated by the budget and several special programmes were organised. Most of those monitored were in the form of expert analysis and discussion on the budget. In the print media some papers carried as many as 65+ articles on the budget – again many carried special budget editions with budget pullouts.
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- Gang Rape & HIV/AIDS
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On Sunday night during News Hour (18/11/2001), and then repeated on Monday (20/11/2001) on Morning Live, the SABC chose to report a story about a woman who had been gang raped. While the intention may have been good, the result raised several ethical issues and highlighted the necessity for extreme care to be exercised in the reporting of violence against women. The item was exceptional for the way it dealt with the issue of HIV/AIDS, in that the rape survivor was named and identified and that her children were identified.
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- Independence, ICASA and the Telecommunications Bill
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The Telecommunications Amendment Bill is currently being debated before the Portfolio Committee on Communication. The majority of the bill focuses specifically on telecommunications and the issuing of licences. (Many of the issues it raises have been discussed in the media and addressed by industry players.) The Bill also deals with, “further provision for certain functions of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, [and] the repeal of a particular law and the amendment of two others” (Telecommunications Amendment Bill). The implications of the latter strike at the heart of the independence of ICASA and serve to highlight some of the contradictions endemic to ICASA.
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- Exposing Women in the Media
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For the last three years the MMP has observed that a few weeks before National Women’s Day on the 9th of August there is a dramatic increase in coverage of women and issues perceived as pertinent to women. The majority of items are usually more analytical and deal with a range of issues and subjects from violence against women to the role of women in society and business. In spite of the worrying aspect that women tend only to get such substantial coverage a few weeks before and after National Women’s day the trend is at least positive in that it displays a level of commitment from the various media to deal with and represent women in more interesting, diverse and equitable ways.
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- Children at Face Value
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The Sowetan Sunday World (SSW from now on) yesterday (15/07/01) carried a story about a seven-year-old boy child who had been disfigured in a fire. They published a close-up picture of the child and identified him by name. The headline was “Give me a Gun.” A note below the picture and the headline stated, “We publish this picture of Oscar Hadebe knowing it might open us to accusations of insensitivity. We want to illustrate the plight of this beautiful child and appeal for help. The R96 000 already donated is not enough for Oscar’s plastic surgery. Sowetan Sunday World pledge R1000 to Oscar’s trust fund. We urge you to join us. - Editor”
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- e-news advert - The way advertising news should not be
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Last night e-tv launched their new one hour news programme. There were many positive elements and changes to the programme for which e-tv are to be commended. Unfortunately the launch was heralded with a highly problematic print media advert depicting dead bodies. The advert makes use of what would conventionally be viewed as a news photograph. The image used depicts a disaster scene. In the background bystanders can be seen observing a building that has been damaged, with smoke coming from the side. A flower patterned couch to the edge of a rubble-covered road makes up the remainder of the background. In the foreground there are three dead people. One is slumped over a bicycle, another lying close by with one of the bicycle wheels close to the persons head. Just a few feet away a third person is lying perpendicular to the other two bodies. Blood from the bodies can be see pouring onto the ground. e-tv’s logo sits in the top left hand corner with the line, “e-news, no one gets you closer.” Bar some fine print outside the frame of the image which contain a small blurb and scheduling details, there are no other advertising elements. No context or explanation of the image is given.
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- Showing Due Care
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The death of 43 people at a soccer match on Wednesday this week has, by and large, been dealt with with due sensitivity to those killed.
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