The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) partnered with the Office of the Premier in Limpopo in a workshop to develop and empower community and rural based journalists during these decisive times.
The Media workshop was held on Saturday, 29 October at Masana Lodge in Polokwane, where media giants like Professor Mathatha Tsedu from Wits University, SANEF Chairperson Mahlatse Gallens who is now with News 24, Phathiswa Magopeni from eNCA, Sheldon Morais from Talk Radio 702 and Sibasa Mogale from Thobela FM addressed pertinent issues with regard to the state of Journalism in Limpopo Province.
Mr Tshamano Makhadi, who is Specialist Broadcast Lecture at TUT was the Programme Director who shared the driving task with Limpopo Premier Spokesperson Kenny Mathivha.
Topics on discussions included;
- Self-censorship
- Media biase
- Investigative media &
- The role of community media in a fast changing media landscape.
From time to time speakers highlighted the importance of sticking to the book when executing the job.
Head of Terrestrial News Services at eNCA Phathiswa Magopeni spoke firmly about paying attention to numbers. She said it is important for journalists to not just fall to average, statistics and percentage numerics without analysing and investigating the source that accumulated that sum. She insisted that a lot of times numbers that are made to look big when converted into percentages should not even be making news, and in most cases the source is unlikely to sharehow the numbers came about.
Prof Mathatha Tsedu, who has been in print journalism for over 30 years, emphasised that Journalism’s first loyalty is to the citizens, therefore commitment to the truth and citizenry are always bound to be prioritised. He read Section 16 of Bill of Rights which contains detailed provisions with regard to freedom of expression,stating; “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom
of the press and other media; freedom to receive or impart information or ideas; freedom of artistic creativity; and academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.”
And with the following limitations to freedom of expression; “The right in subsection (1) does not extend to propaganda for war; incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.”
According to Tsedu journalists have power, which should be exercised with caution. In addition the job of journalists was to be watch dogs of the executives.He indicated that in 1977, at the time Steve Biko was murdered he was still studying journalism and he wanted to disperse revolution through writing.
His first article, dominated by political opinion was not published.It was not long before his first article would appear in the Sunday Post, however without a byline and this brought enough excitement that he ended up showing anyone who cared to check the article he wrote.It was on his third article that his name appeared on the Daily Post’s byline and recently when he went to Eskia Mphahlele library in Tshwane he saw the very same articles he wrote in his early journalism days.
Hardships of struggle era drove the desire for him to tell the story through journalism and to the people.
He advised emerging journalists to realise the importance of having a backbone irrespective of harsh realities. Instead of journalists fearing victimisation in their work Tsedu assured them that Press Council will protect them, only and when they tell the truth, which is their first obligation.He addressed challenges of the brown envelope among other things, which involves community journalists being paid by leaders in their areas to silence them.
The Media Seminar serves a vital role in an environment where journalism integrity is compromised by love for materials and exchange of favours between journalists and executives in their community at the expense of citizens.
De Beers and Masana Entertainment sponsored the event by ensuring that journalists’ accommodation and transport is paid for.