Phumelela Publishing joins the Press Council

Phumelela Publishing, which boasts ComputaForm, Computaform Express, Racing Express and tabonline among its many print and online publications, now subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced.

As a member of the Press Council, Phumelela Publishing further subscribes to the Press Council of South Africa’s co-regulatory processes and has agreed to be subjected to the prescripts of the Press Council.

“The racing media landscape in South Africa has, unfortunately, degenerated to such an extent over time that presenting fake news, half-truths and even blatant lies as fact has become the norm at a number of publications,” says Rob Scott, CEO of Tellytrack.

“As the publisher of among others the official racecard for every race meeting as well as Racing Express, the leading horseracing publication in the country which appears daily in The Citizen, we feel that it’s time to raise the bar.

“By subscribing to the Press Council’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, we recommit ourselves to publish only racing news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced.

“Unfortunately, fake news is a reality in this day and age and some publications offer a platform for every Tom Dick and Harry to spread it.

“By joining the Press Council, we now offer punters and our readers a guarantee that all racing news published by Phumelela Publishing must be of the highest standard – including ethically and morally.

"It’s important for readers and punters to know that the news articles around racing published by us, contain verified and substantiated facts.”

Scott adds that he would like to see all the racing publications in the country follow Phumelela’s example.

“The added advantage for readers is that, should a publication subscribe to the Press Code, it can be held accountable to maintain the set standards by the Press Ombudsman.

“So, it’s not just an empty promise. We voluntarily subject ourselves to the jurisdiction of the Press Ombudsman and we urge all other racing publications to do the same,” Scott said.

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