I am elated that the National Prosecuting Authority decided to drop the charges against Jacob Zuma, but I write this letter with a heavy heart because for seven years some of you in the media chose to stand on the side of persecution, lies, deceit and slander.

I am elated that the National Prosecuting Authority decided to drop the charges against Jacob Zuma, but I write this letter with a heavy heart because for seven years some of you in the media chose to stand on the side of persecution, lies, deceit and slander.

For seven years some in this trade effectively became willing participants in a plot to get JZ to jail by hook or by crook. They became an extension of the propaganda unit of the rogue elements within the NPA and the Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) and threw objectivity out in exchange for scoops. They silenced those of us who dared to speak out against their "truth", which they forced down their readers.

I am happy that today we were proven not only correct, but also sane when we shouted conspiracy in relation to the prosecution of Zuma, yet those in the media who were supposed to analyse and dig deeper than us chose to behave like the old Citizen newspaper during the apartheid era. They chose to hear no evil and see no evil.

When my father initiated me into politics, he told me to read newspapers and trust political correspondents such as Percy Qoboza, Phil Mthimkulu, Charles Nqakula, Aggrey Klaaste, Joe Thloloe and Mike Norton, and I'm glad I did then, but I will be damned if I will trust some of the lot we have today. They are a disgrace to this profession.

Njabuliso Slindokuhle, Leondale