The measure of a journalist is‚ the country’s communications minister said on Friday‚ in “how ruthless their reporting can be about” the African National Congress (ANC) government.
Faith Muthambi’s comment came during the presentation of her department’s budget vote in the National Assembly‚ in which she also said “there is a huge disconnect between the expectations of both government and media on what exactly the role of the media should be”.
“To some media houses their main mission is simply to paint this government as corrupt‚ hapless and inept‚” said Muthambi‚ before adding that “it could also be argued that racist tendencies also play a role in the unrelenting attempts aimed at stigmatising a black government led by the ANC”.
“On the one hand‚ government has taken a view that media is a partner and consequently lined up a whole strategy and delivery mechanism on this FALSE premise.”
Muthambi said this was evident as “our media would rather focus scandalising government even if that means not getting all the facts right”.
This despite the fact that “every fortnight since President (Jacob) Zuma took office in 2009‚ government holds post-cabinet briefings at which statements which contain “generally no less than 10 pages of insightful content that covers current affairs‚ cabinet decisions‚ presidential engagements‚ national achievements‚ conferences and commitments of ministers both locally and internationally”.
“It has now become common cause that the independence and professionalism of many journalists are now measured on how ruthless their reporting can be about this ANC-led government‚” Muthambi claimed.
This‚ Muthambi appeared to say‚ will be addressed by “transformation…not only print media ownership‚ but also the ownership of printing press‚ the measurement of circulation‚ distribution channels and the assessment of regulatory instruments to regulate the affairs of media practitioners”.
Muthambi: Anti-ANC government media to be dealt with by transformation
The measure of a journalist is‚ the country’s communications minister said on Friday‚ in “how ruthless their reporting can be about” the African National Congress (ANC) government.
Faith Muthambi’s comment came during the presentation of her department’s budget vote in the National Assembly‚ in which she also said “there is a huge disconnect between the expectations of both government and media on what exactly the role of the media should be”.
“To some media houses their main mission is simply to paint this government as corrupt‚ hapless and inept‚” said Muthambi‚ before adding that “it could also be argued that racist tendencies also play a role in the unrelenting attempts aimed at stigmatising a black government led by the ANC”.
“On the one hand‚ government has taken a view that media is a partner and consequently lined up a whole strategy and delivery mechanism on this FALSE premise.”
Muthambi said this was evident as “our media would rather focus scandalising government even if that means not getting all the facts right”.
This despite the fact that “every fortnight since President (Jacob) Zuma took office in 2009‚ government holds post-cabinet briefings at which statements which contain “generally no less than 10 pages of insightful content that covers current affairs‚ cabinet decisions‚ presidential engagements‚ national achievements‚ conferences and commitments of ministers both locally and internationally”.
“It has now become common cause that the independence and professionalism of many journalists are now measured on how ruthless their reporting can be about this ANC-led government‚” Muthambi claimed.
This‚ Muthambi appeared to say‚ will be addressed by “transformation…not only print media ownership‚ but also the ownership of printing press‚ the measurement of circulation‚ distribution channels and the assessment of regulatory instruments to regulate the affairs of media practitioners”.
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