Understanding press role is crucial for our society

THE preamble to the South African Press Code states that the press exists to serve society, but the same society doesn’t understand how journalism works.

Our mass media are filled with stories of journalists being killed, harassed, beaten or arrested in the line of duty.

Recently, Queenstown-based journalist Zolile Menzelwa was attacked by unknown men for doing his job – something that the attackers didn’t like.

There is a need for the press, society and the forces that shape society to have a common understanding of what it means to serve society.

The press code further says: “[The press’s] freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy.”

During the farmworker protest in the Western Cape, journalists were attacked by protesters. Images of two men attacking a female photographer during Julius Malema’s disciplinary hearing in Johannesburg, expose the gap between the press and society.

During the Marikana violence, protesting miners took umbrage at how journalists reported on the events, claiming they were being misrepresented.

Freelance journalist Chester Makana opened a case of assault against the ANC Youth League’s Clifford Mohloana after the latter allegedly hit the former on his head using a brick.

Political parties and government institutions also complain about some news reports and opinion pieces.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says that, by mid-December last year, at least 67 journalists were killed in direct relation to their work – a more than 40% rise from 2011.

The group says another 30 deaths worldwide are under investigation.

The CPJ report further states: “Syria’s anti-government related unrest had resulted in the deaths of 28 journalists who were either killed in combat or ‘targeted’ and killed by the government or opposition forces”.

In some instances, however, complaints against newspapers are justified by increasing pockets of shoddy journalism.

The press code allows for members of society to complain about unethical stories which breach the journalists’ code that they are expected always to maintain in their reporting.

Of late, some journalists use social media to find news sources, or to send interview requests to potential sources.

The New York Times’s Sam Dolnick got more than he bargained for when he approached Kayla Pjatak for a comment after she posted a picture of her cousin – a victim of a shooting incident – on her Twitter account.

Responses from different Twitter users included: “Bottom feeder. Shame on you, trashy reporter chasing tragedy for a headline and making killers famous. Gross-gross-gross. My God, what a scumbag you are. Special places in hell for creatures like you”.

Those social media responses paint a picture of how society reacts to journalists doing their work.

In some instances, reaction is a justified complaint, but it can be deadly, verbally abusive or vulgar.

Bearing that in mind, I argue that our society doesn’t understand the role the press plays.

At times, the press is treated either as a tool to make people famous, or to fight commercial, personal, celebrity and political battles.

With all its attitudes and prejudices, society needs a strong press that is free from commercial, political and personal interests.

Such media set as top priority their watchdog role by critically examining actions of the forces that shape society.

There has been an outcry on how some news media platforms reported about the Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy.

In competing to break the story, some newspapers published wrong information about the name of the gunman, grade of the deceased pupils and the type of the gun used.

The New York Times’s senior editor for standards, Greg Brock, told Margaret Sullivan: “In the Twitter age, the pressure is worse than ever to be fast – it’s become more difficult. Some of the pressure is coming from readers”.

The news reporting craft is about informing, educating and entertaining society, so journalists must, at all times, do their best to achieve that.

For its part, society must appreciate the role of the media by also critically engaging the press about how it reports.

A press that reports unfairly and publishes false and unverified information from anonymous sources only robs society of quality service.

The South African Press Council’s website carries a litany of judgments against newspapers, as scores of South Africans complain to the press ombudsman about unethical reporting.

A press that prioritises the needs of its society, caters for its community, provides critical and fair analysis of the forces shaping society is essential.

Investigative reports about poor service delivery, corruption, unhealthy products sold in shops, faulty vehicles and matters of national security are some of the stories that benefit society.

Structures of society must educate their constituencies about the role of the press, including how they should engage with the press.

The unlawful arrest of Sunday Times reporter Mzilikazi wa Afrika is a sign of how things can go wrong if the current situation continues.

In practicing their craft, journalists must win the confidence of their society by striving to report only what is correct in a fair and balanced manner.

Much as society structures demand accountability from public officials, they have a responsibility to also hold the press to account for its actions.

A common understanding between the press, society and forces that shape society will reduce violence and acrimony among these critical partners.

It was Lawrence Booth, an award-winning UK-based journalist, who said: “Since part of our job involves passing judgment on others, it would be hypocritical to object to our readers applying the same treatment to us [though it’s surprising how sensitive some journalists can be about this]”. Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha is the spokesman for the Eastern Cape local government and traditional affairs MEC and a member of the ANC.