Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is delighted to award a GLAD[1] to the Sunday Times newspaper for an image titled, “Take a bow” (18/08/19, p.2) that portrays children in an affirmative manner.

The image taken by Alaister Russell, is a close-up photo of three cousins Karabo, Refilwe and Gomolemo Malatji who are all, according to the caption, 11, 13 and 11-years old respectively at their home in Diepkloof, Soweto. In the picture, all three are practising the violin and cello, with a brightly smiling Refilwe centred, flanked by the two boys on both sides.

The photographer expertly chose to take the picture from a medium and lowly angle, making the children appear up-close and bigger, a technique in photography used to frame more than one subject, and to give a feel of the setting and the subjects’ body language.[2]

In addition, Refilwe is captured perfectly at the centre of the image where the eyes first land when looking at the photograph. This centering of the girl child should be commended, as this is quite rare in a society largely dominated by stories and images centred on adults. MMA Children’s Coverage 2017 report notes that children only make up only 11% of news reported by the media, while adults are high up at 89%.[3]

Given the often-discouraging imaging and reportage around children in South African media, frequently as victims[4], it is refreshing to see such an image where children are portrayed doing something positive and of which they seemingly enjoy. The gleaming smile and closed eyes of Refilwe are a confirmation to this.

MMA is also GLAD of the fact that the photograph is published on page two of a Sunday publication that usually reserves this section for breaking news and political reports.

According to MMA’s Editorial guidelines and Principles on Reporting on Children in the Media, “images of children can be extremely powerful and have a significant impact on people. Therefore, journalists should try to avoid images that stereotype children but strive to find alternative angles and images.”[5]  Both the photographer and publication have kept to these principles.

As such, MMA lauds the photographer for taking such a delightful image as well as the Sunday Times for publishing it in its newspaper. We further encourage the newspaper to continue shining a spotlight on the good and positives things done by children throughout the country and, for other media to emulate this.

By Azola Dayile

[1] GLADs are awarded to media for reporting on children responsibly and for accessing them

[2] https://nofilmschool.com/Medium-shot-uses-and-examples

[3] http://bonabana.co.za/presentation-2017/#/

[4] http://bonabana.co.za/presentation-2017/#/

[5]  http://54.217.43.239/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mma_editorial_guideline.pdf