Sixth Blog Entry

Introduction

This blog will outline and reflect on the following components of the research proposal, which are discussed in chronological order as; problem statement; background; purpose and significance of the research. The researcher shall introduce the intentions of this study and consequently reflect on the aspects such as a need for this study.

1 Problem Statement

The relationship between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African press has at sometimes proved to be unhealthy due to the chain of court cases by the ANC against the journalists. Post 1994 the African National Congress (ANC) has been at the helm of the government for five consecutive terms, one may point out. It has been a daunting task for the media on representing the ANC on its daily coverage. Various court cases have taken place between the ruling party and the press.

2 Background

It has been a tough and rough time for various press editors and journalists when coming to their reporting, one may indicate. One main example is the arrest of the then Sunday Times journalist (Mzilikazi-wa-Afrika) for covering the story that could expose the clandestine deals of one of the ANC top leadership and also a National Police Chief.  Mzilikzi-wa-Afrika reported in 2010 that; the police general, Bekhi Cele was involved in an illegal lease of new police headquarters.

In 2012 then came the controversial “spear “painting of President Jacob Zuma. The Goodman Gallery had run its art exhibitions and there appeared on show what was called the spear painting which portrayed Zuma with his genital parts exposed. In reaction to that the secretary-general of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Blade Nzimande urged all the City-press paper readers to boycott its readership and also to pull back their subscriptions. According to SABC News; “He has further appealed for those who subscribe to the newspaper to cancel their subscriptions in boycott against the paper publishing the controversial Brett Murray painting that portrays President Jacob Zuma with exposed private parts.”

“Since 2008 the ANC, the Young Communist League and Zuma have brought litigious actions against Zapiro for cartoons, calling them defamatory and overstepping the bounds of the right to free speech”, Hlongwane (2011).Since there has been a chain of lawsuits and court cases between the press and the ruling party, it becomes a need for scholars to investigate what may be the root cause of such developments.

3 Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of the media in the post-apartheid South Africa. By referring to the above examples of the anti-press reactions by the ANC it becomes clear that somehow if investigated, there might be a gap in understanding of the role of the media, particularly press in the democratic South Africa. This prompts the researcher to seek to understand the stipulations of the constitution on the legislation towards the press. This research goal is to; examine the press stories about the ANC and its alliance and view them in line with the role of the media in South Africa.

4 Significance

This study will serve as the investigative process which shall seek to understand the current press “code of conduct”. By comparing such press code with the reports that were deemed unruly by the ANC, it would be evident from such comparison whether the ANC had a case to opt for litigation or was the press fair on their reporting. It would be not completely clear for public whether the ANC calls were fair or the press was incorrect, vies versa, thus a need for this study.

This study shall clarify factors that influence the behaviour of the ANC towards the press. The findings of this study can be used by both the ANC and the press industries to resolve the bad or unwanted situations the press and the ANC had found themselves in. Furthermore this study may be used by the legislation making bodies to devise new tools on protecting the press rather than attempting to regulate it.  In relation to society, the society will understand the role of the press and will from the findings of this study be able to decide for their selves which party is write or wrong should an argument arise. The findings will enlighten the broader society in understanding the functions of the press such as reporting and rules that govern them. Alternatively, the society will be able to notice when the press has gone out of boundaries and conversely when the ANC wrongly accusing the press.

List of Sources

Achmat, Z. 2010. Journalist gets arrested. Sowetanonline, 4 August [O] Available: http://www.writingrights.org/2010/08/04/breaking-news-journalist-mzilikazi-wa-afrika-arrested-resist-this-onslaught-against-our-freedom/

Hlongwane, S. 2011. Another Zuma-vs-Zapiro cartoon battle, another outrage in the wall. Daily Maverick, 14 June [O] Available: http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2011-06-14-another-zuma-vs-zapiro-cartoon-battle-another-outrage-in-the-wall#.VDkP56MaKUk

SABC News. 2012. Boycott the City Press.  [O] Available : http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/ae6765004b5c3a0bbb8dbb8be44260da/Boycott-the-City-Press%3A-Blade-Nzimande-20120524