a critique of sabc’s political coverage

AND: Opportunities that the current

political climate offers developmental journalism and the

SABC

By Guy Berger, 22 November, 2009

Broadcasting during elections

is a testing time for SABC. A time when commitment to

objectivity, accuracy, fairness, impartiality and balance is

scrutinised closely. Also a trying time for staff who

may feel pressure from parties.

(Editorial Policies)

1.History 2.The stakes3.Your guidelines4.The opportunities

1. 1. HISTORYHISTORY

Historical conundrum:•ANC didn’t trust Nats over SABC pre-election,

•Nats didn’t trust ANC over SABC post-election.

Two parties + civil society•Consensus: take SABC out of political

spheres of influence.• (Note: SABC was passive in all this).

Restructuring:•New board • Independent Monitoring Commission

• IBA and broadcast pluralism

1994: separate meetings with parties just involved SABC being lambasted.

1996: joint meeting (in KZN) set limits:• Minority parties would get coverage• Not every function would be covered• Not short notice• Ground rules for debates• Complaints would be dealt with asap• Parties would give up-to-date contacts

... FOR POLITICIANS 12 parties signed in June 1996 Bishops, editor-in-chief, Electoral Code

of Conduct Commission as monitors.The text reads: To ensure a free, independent news

media, commitment is needed from all the main players:• Journalists and editors to professional codes;• Politicians to the following code:

“To wholeheartedly help party members understand the role understand the role of the media in a democratic society.”

“We agree that the rights of working journalists should be respected at all times while engaged in news-gathering.

“We undertake to respect and promote the physical safety of journalists to the best of our ability, including:

Not inciting attacks on media reps. Not naming individual journalists

at public events. Not verbally or physically interfering with reporters.

Not restricting access to news sources.

Not having no-go zones, but rather letting journalists operate without fear of intimidation.

Not to pressure presenters while on air to do ad hoc interviews.

Not to try and bribe journalists. Discourage party members and others

from making abusive or threatening anonymous phone calls to media.

Using existing mechanisms to channel complaints.

TODAY: PARTIES’ CODE OF CONDUCT

2. STAKES2. STAKES

Licence a new gang to get a chance to grab hold of the “goodies”?

Elect a government to govern in the public interest based on mass mandate?

Register public sentiment on policies? Channel social culture into non-violent

conflict resolution? Promote citizenship for post-poll

participation in political life.

Pre-condition for a free & fair election: = a free and fair media – incl. the SABC.

Free:Free: • Citizens feel free to speak out (& have

platform)• SABC is free from interference• SABC is free to provide diversity and access.

Fair:Fair: • Fairness by SABC• Fairness to SABC

Building an unassailable PSB over democratic transition.

Setting a role model for the continent.

Giving South Africans the best possible outcome from the poll – not least vis-a-vis 2010.

3. GUIDE-3. GUIDE-LINESLINES

SABC CHARTER confirms: •Your duty to give a plurality of views and news.

•Within this, your right to freedom of expression and journalistic independence.

Fair = equitable, not equal. Fair = low differential between old and

new parties, not pure proportionality based on past and present.

Letting conflicting views be heard does not translate into all parties being heard on any subject.

Right to reply is not to mild or even robust discourse.

Assessment can only be done over time.

“Avoid giving policies of governing party greater legitimacy than if the party were not in government.” (Icasa)

Avoid the danger of being seen as a “Civil Service” broadcaster – i.e. loyal to the government of the day (it was TM, now KM, tomorrow JZ).

Keep an autonomous identity. Learn from MPs who bent with

pressure!

Violations of ICASA code:• Distortion, exaggeration, misrepresentation?• Material omissions?• Summarisation?

Or that opinions or allegations were presented as fact?

Or a controversy ignored a key view? Or there was no reasonable right to

reply.

4. OPPORT-4. OPPORT-UNITIESUNITIES

Media as a negative factor in an election.

Toxic treatment of media in an election.

Media used as a scapegoat. Media kicked around as a

political football. Media losing credibility.

1. Forum role – what?•Platform for parties – incl debate•ALSO: Platform for parties and public interaction.

•“Phone in and discussion programmes should not be presented as scientific reflections of public opinion.” (Editorial Policies)

“Broadcasters should not rely on political parties to bring information to them, but should actively seek out information.”

“Failure to do so will give parties with greater resources inequitable amounts of news coverage”. (Icasa regulations)

2. Watchdog – what?•Scrutinise parties, expose intolerance, irregularities, follow-up on law enforcement.

3. Enabling role - what?•Educating audiences (rights,

responsibilities)• Involving audiences and 3rd “parties”• Informing about parties and about

results.

4. Setting the Agenda – what?

•Being proactive, doing research.•Political conduct (democracy) •Development – the key issue. •Also: Media issues and Access to Info.

Agendas & intolerance:•“Licensees are reminded generally of the possible dangers of some people imitating violence details of which they see, hear or read about.” (Icasa, revised code of conduct).

Make development & democracy the main agenda.

Put the focus on policies, rather than on the political people and emotion.

Educate the public on the poll system.

Educate the citizens on the poll system.

Encourage them to assert their rights.

Put pressure on those who don’t exercise their responsibilities as citizens

Build respect for independent SABC.

Combine all four roles:

1. Forum (pluralistic fairness)

2. Watchdog (SABC active agent)

3. Enabler (educator, accessible)

4. Agenda-setting (leading)

5. IN 5. IN SUM...SUM...

History – seize a window of opportunity, an interregnum between powers.

Don’t be on defensive, don’t be a football.

The stakes are the SABC, and public broadcasting in Africa ... And standards for a free and fair election.

Follow, and quote, your “Bibles” Roles: agenda-setter, forum,

watchdog, enabler (AFEW) Empower people for the best possible

government of, for and by the citizens.